Recycling of Elements Transported Upstream by Runs of Pacific Salmon: II. δ15N and δ13C Evidence in the Kvichak River Watershed, Bristol Bay, Southwestern Alaska

Abstract

Biota δ15N and δ13C values (deviations from recognized isotope standards) from lliamna Lake (a major anadromous sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) nursery lake supporting peak-year runs > 10 million) and several other anadromous-salmon-free lakes in the Kvichak River watershed, Bristol Bay, southwestern Alaska, were compared to determine the significance of marine-derived nitrogen (MDN) delivered by returning adult salmon. Biota in lliamna Lake had higher δ15N compared with control lakes, verifying a mixing model correlating δ15N with MDN. Periphyton δ15N values reflected localized input from populations of spawning salmon. Juvenile sockeye MDN varied in response to escapement size, suggesting the importance of large escapements (> 10 million) for maintaining a predominantly MDN lacustrine N pool. Other resident fishes showed shifts in δ15N between years of high and low escapement. The dual-isotope approach, using δ15N and δ13C together, suggested that fish production is primarily dependent on limnetic primary and secondary production. The dual-isotope approach indicated that the coast range sculpin (Cottus aleuticus) was the only fish with an appreciable dietary component consisting of salmon eggs or emergent fry.