Abstract
Stable isotope analyses (δ 15N) were used to examine invertebrate tissue enrichment in two North Carolina estuaries with differing amounts of nutrient loading. Bivalves collected from a nutrient sensitive estuary yielded a significant difference in mean nitrogen isotopic composition of tissue (10.4‰ ± 0.82; N = 66) compared to bivalves collected from a less nutrient sensitive estuary (6.4‰ ± 0.63; N = 45). Similarly, blue crabs from nutrient sensitive sites had a nitrogen isotopic composition of 11.4‰ (±1.3, N = 77), which was significantly different ( P < 0.001) than the tissue of less nutrient sensitive blue crabs (9.6‰ ± 0.6; N = 77). The results showed that an inverse relationship exists between invertebrate tissue enrichment and indicators of water quality across estuarine sites. This study suggests that a relationship may exist between nutrient sources and subsequent energy transfer to estuarine consumers in two North Carolina estuaries.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.