The Comparison of δ13C Values of a Deposit- and a Suspension-Feeder Bio-Indicates Benthic vs. Pelagic Couplings and Trophic Status in Contrasted Coastal Ecosystems

Abstract

δ13C and δ15N values of two generalists primary consumers, a strict deposit-feeder polychaete (Arenicola marina), and a strict suspension-feeder bivalve (Crassostrea gigas), were investigated to typify the trophic functioning of two contrasted marine coastal ecosystems (eutrophic and mesotrophic, east and west Cotentin peninsula, respectively, English Channel, Normandy, France). On average, δ13C and δ15N values of lugworms mirrored those of sediment organic matter (SOM), whereas δ13C and δ15N of oysters mirrored those of suspended particulate organic matter (SPOM). δ13C values of the two species displayed significant differences on the west coast (mesotrophic) contrary to the east coast (eutrophic; significant interactions). δ15N values differed only between sites and not between species. Diet of A. marina relied exclusively on microphytobenthos (MPB) and detritus of macroalgae (ULV) on the mesotrophic coast, whereas diet of C. gigas relied mainly on SPOM. Conversely, on the eutrophic ecosystem (the east coast), both species displayed the same diet, which was a mixture of pelagic sources (SPOM), benthic sources (MPB and ULV) and to a lesser extent riverine particulate organic matter (rPOM). These results were explained by the intensity of benthic vs. pelagic couplings (i.e. benthic-pelagic and pelagic-benthic) which differed in the two ecosystems. Low trophic coupling occurred on the mesotrophic (west) coast, whereas benthic-pelagic (SOM resuspension) and pelagic-benthic (settling of SPOM such as phytoplankton blooms) couplings were typified on the eutrophic (east) coast. This higher particulate organic matter (POM) pelagic-benthic coupling on the east coast was probably enhanced by nutrient enrichment caused by eutrophication. Comparison of δ13C ratios of both the strict deposit-feeder (e.g. A. marina) and the strict suspension-feeder (e.g. C. gigas) was then proposed as a bio-indicator of the trophic status and of POM benthic vs. pelagic couplings of soft-bottom coastal ecosystems.