Isotope Fractionation Values Research Articles

Sulfur isotope fractionation in modern euxinic systems: Implications for paleoenvironmental reconstructions of paired sulfate–sulfide isotope records

The sulfur (S) isotope difference between sulfates and sulfides preserved in sedimentary rocks (Δ34S) has been utilized to reconstruct ancient marine sulfate levels with implications for oxygenation of the Earth surface and biogeochemical cycling. S isotope data from modern, low-sulfate euxinic systems illustrate that preserved Δ34S values are positively correlated with sulfate concentration. However, absolute constraints on the range of low-sulfate levels over which preserved Δ34S values vary with sulfate concentration remain poorly constrained. Here, we present a compilation of S isotope data for modern euxinic systems demonstrating that preserved Δ34S values increase with sulfate concentration at low sulfate levels and approach values that are similar to in situ S isotope fractionation values from microbial sulfate reduction at high sulfate levels. We compare these results to a closed system model of S isotope cycling in a euxinic ocean in order to evaluate when the size of the sulfate reservoir is sufficiently small that Rayleigh fractionation affects the preservation of S isotope signatures. We conclude that the reservoir effect places constraints on Δ34S values deposited in euxinic settings at sulfate concentrations <5mM. Thus, over this range, Δ34S values can be used to evaluate ancient sulfate levels. At higher sulfate levels (>10mM), Δ34S values are similar to the kinetic isotope fractionation due to microbial sulfate reduction and therefore provide information about biological and environmental controls on sulfate reduction rates and location of pyrite formation. The results of this compilation provide an improved model for the use of Δ34S records to evaluate paleoenvironmental conditions in euxinic depositional environments.

Stable strontium isotope fractionation in synthetic barite

The mineral barite (BaSO4) accommodates strontium (Sr) in its crystal structure, providing an archive of Sr-isotopes (87Sr/86Sr and δ88/86Sr) in the highly stable sulfate mineral. We investigated mass dependent stable Sr-isotope fractionation (Δ88/86Sr=δ88/86Srsolid−δ88/86Srsolution) during inorganic precipitation of barite from a barium-rich solution by addition of sulfate under controlled conditions and compared this to equilibrium isotopic fractionation calculated using Density Functional Theory modeling. Sr-substituted barite is predicted to have lower 88Sr/86Sr than any other studied species, and at 25°C will be about 0.6–0.7‰ lower than the two modeled Sr(H2O)82+-bearing salts that could approximate aqueous Sr2+. This agrees in direction and order of magnitude with experimental results that estimate equilibrium Sr-isotope fractionation in barite to be 0.3‰ lower than aqueous Sr2+ at ∼20°C. The high ionic strength of some of the precipitating solutions (up to 1M) and potential differences in the average coordination number of aqueous Sr2+ add to uncertainty in a direct comparison of the calculated equilibrium isotopic fractionation values with the experimental results.Stable Sr-isotope fractionation varied along with the distribution coefficient of Sr [Kd(Sr)=[Sr/Ba]barite/[Sr/Ba]solution], which is a function of both temperature and barite saturation state. However the relationship between mass dependent isotopic fractionation and Kd(Sr) is different for conditions of changing temperature versus barite saturation state. With increasing temperature (from 5 to 40°C), the barite phase became isotopically lighter (Δ88/86Sr=−0.29‰ to −0.41‰). Conversely, with increasing saturation state (saturation index of barite=3.0–4.3) the barite phase became isotopically heavier (Δ88/86Sr=−0.25‰ to −0.10‰). These observations suggest chemical kinetic effects control isotopic fractionation rather than equilibrium temperature effects. The relationship with saturation state indicates the potential presence of a diffusive boundary layer. Barite crystal morphology appears to be affected by the diffusion rate of solute (sulfate) to the growing crystal surface relative to the overall growth rate of barite crystals during precipitation.

Examination of Cr(VI) treatment by zero-valent iron using in situ, real-time X-ray absorption spectroscopy and Cr isotope measurements

A series of replicate flow-through cell experiments was conducted to characterize Cr isotope fractionation during Cr(VI) treatment by granular zero-valent iron (ZVI). Synthetic groundwater containing 50mgL−1 Cr(VI) was pumped upward through a custom-made cell packed with ZVI under anaerobic conditions. The geochemical evolution of the system was monitored using pH and redox measurements, while aqueous effluent samples were retained for analysis of cations and Cr isotopes. Real-time, in situ X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy collected via a Kapton® window in the cell provided additional information on the speciation of the reaction products. Increases in δ53Cr values corresponding to decreases in Cr(VI) concentration suggested the occurrence of redox processes. Spectroscopic results correlated well with the isotope data, indicating reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III). The isotope data did not appear to follow a single trend. A two-stage system was proposed to explain the complex isotope trend, where the rapid Cr removal was associated with very little fractionation (ε=−0.2‰), whereas slower removal was associated with a greater degree of fractionation (ε=−1.2‰ to −1.5‰). Reactive transport modeling was used to quantify distinct isotope fractionation values (ε), differentiated by a significant change in the Cr removal rate.

The molybdenum isotopic composition of the modern ocean

Natural variations in the isotopic composition of molybdenum (Mo) are showing increasing potential as a tool in geochemistry. Although the ocean is an important reservoir of Mo, data on the isotopic composition of Mo in seawater are scarce. We have recently developed a new method for the precise determination of Mo isotope ratios on the basis of preconcentration using a chelating resin and measurement by multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS), which allows us to measure every stable Mo isotope (Nakagawa et al., 2008). In this study, 172 seawater samples obtained from 9 stations in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Southern Oceans were analyzed, giving global coverage and the first full depth-profiles. The average isotope composition in δA/95Mo (relative to a Johnson Matthey Mo standard solution) was as follows: δ92/95Mo = -2.54 ± 0.16‰ (2SD), δ94/95Mo = -0.73 ± 0.19‰, δ96/95Mo = 0.85 ± 0.07‰, δ97/95Mo = 1.68 ± 0.08‰, δ98/95Mo = 2.48 ± 0.10‰, and δ100/95Mo = 4.07 ± 0.18‰. The δ values showed an excellent linear correlation with atomic mass of AMo (R2 = 0.999). Three-isotope plots for the Mo isotopes were fitted with straight lines whose slopes agreed with theoretical values for mass-dependent isotope fractionation. These results demonstrate that Mo isotopes are both uniformly distributed and follow a mass-dependent fractionation law in the modern oxic ocean. In addition, Mo isotopic analysis revealed that δ98/95Mo of the standard used in this study was 0.117 ± 0.009‰ lighter than the Mo standard that was used by Archer and Vance (2008). A common Mo standard is urgently required for the precise comparison of Mo isotopic compositions measured in different laboratories. On the other hand, our results strongly support the possibility of seawater as an international reference material for Mo isotopic composition.

Biological control of internal pH in scleractinian corals: Implications on paleo-pH and paleo-temperature reconstructions

Elemental ratios and isotopic compositions of scleractinian corals are often used as proxies for the pH and the temperature of seawater from which they calcified. Nevertheless, these ratios recorded in the coral skeleton are offset from the ratios expected for equilibrium, due to vital effects. Ion microprobe δ 11B measurements were performed in a modern tropical coral, Porites lutea, and in a Mediterranean coral, Cladocora caespitosa, grown under two different pCO 2. We show that the δ 11B variations measured at micrometer scale are principally controlled by biology via modification of the pH near the calcification sites. The range of calculated pH allows to reproduce the range of δ 18O measured in corals via a kinetic model of oxygen isotopic equilibrium between water and DIC. Thus we show that temperature does not seem to be the primary control of the δ 18O variations in coral, though the constants of reaction and the isotopic fractionation values obviously depend on temperature.

Anatomical types of leaves and assimilating shoots and carbon 13C/ 12C isotope fractionation in Chinese representatives of Salsoleae s.l. (Chenopodiaceae)

To examine the anatomical types in Salsoleae s.l., and evaluate carbon isotope fractionation values for identifying the respective photosynthetic pathway, a total of 34 species representing 12 genera of Salsoleae s.l. in China were examined using light microscopy and carbon 13C/ 12C isotope fractionation. There are nine leaf anatomical types, namely, Sympegmoid (Sympegmoid type, Sympegmoid type II), Salsoloid with hypodermis ( Salsola soda type, Salsola soda type II, Nanophyton type II), Salsoloid without hypodermis ( Salsola kali type, Salsola kali type II, Nanophyton type, Climacoptera type II). Salsola soda type and Salsola soda type II are found in the assimilating shoots. Two new subtypes, Salsola soda type II and Nanophyton type II are reported. Anabasis brevifolia, A. eriopoda, A. elatior, A. truncata and A. salsa are of the Salsola soda type II, with a distinctive two-layered epidermis cells. Horaninowia ulicina is of the Nanophyton type II with hypodermis which distinguished from Nanophyton type; Both, Salsola kali type and Climacoptera type II exist in Climacoptera. The Climacoptera type II is distinguished from Climacoptera type by an adaxially interrupted Kranz layer. Salsola collina, S. zaidamica, S. praecox, S. pellucida and S. ruthenica in Salsola sect. Salsola have the Salsola kali type II. The Salsola kali type differs from Salsola kali type II having the palisade and Kranz cells interrupted by longitudinal collenchymatic ridges. Although carbon isotope fractionation data alone are already useful tools to identify photosynthesis, their determination in combination with other approaches, such as anatomical studies are necessary in order to render a structuring of all possibilities evolved among C 4 type Chenopodiaceae.

Calcium isotope fractionation in ikaite and vaterite

We investigated the isotopic composition of calcium in the metastable calcium carbonate polymorphs vaterite and ikaite. The synthetic vaterite precipitates show a smaller degree of Ca isotope fractionation than calcite or aragonite at comparable temperatures and revealed no significant temperature sensitivity between 10 and 50 °C. Ikaite, the water-bearing Ca carbonate modification (CaCO 3·6H 2O) was precipitated at 2 °C in controlled laboratory experiments and in addition recovered from marine sediments and sea-ice. Synthetic and natural ikaites show similar values of Ca isotope fractionation. In general, ikaite is less depleted in heavy isotopes compared to calcite or aragonite at low temperatures. The observed offset of vaterite and ikaite to calcite or aragonite precipitated at similar temperatures is presumably mainly related to differences in precipitation rates and regimes, which seem however to be typical for the growth of these carbonate minerals. Small differences in Ca isotope ratios of naturally formed ikaites from different locations seem to be related to different geochemical conditions in the respective sediment settings.

Estimating Isotope Fractionation Between Cercariae and Host Snail with the Use of Isotope Measurement Designed for Very Small Organisms

Most studies have reported negative carbon and nitrogen isotope fractionations between hosts and parasites, but isotope values have not yet been determined for many parasite species, such as trematodes, due to their relatively small body sizes. We investigated the carbon and nitrogen isotope values of freshwater snails and trematode parasites by using a method for organisms with very small body sizes. We found negative isotope fractionation values between host snails and trematode parasites, similar to published values for other parasite groups with larger body sizes, which suggest that the mechanisms for determining isotope fractionations between hosts and parasites provide similar results.

Stable isotope and water quality analysis of coal bed methane production waters and gases from the Bowen Basin, Australia

Abstract Coal bed methane (CBM) is a significant growing industry in Queensland's energy sector. It is, however, a relatively new industry with little local water quality data and stable isotope compositions of production waters and gases available in the public domain. This study aims to determine whether water quality and stable isotope data can be correlated with gas and groundwater production and flow pathways, and identify zones of recharge and water mixing. Stable isotope analysis and accessory water quality tests were conducted on CBM production gas and water samples collected from two CBM producing bituminous coal seams within a single field in the Bowen Basin. In the production field, the reservoir seams are gently folded with eastwardly dipping fold axes, and compartmentalised by an ENE normal fault on the flank of a broad central anticline that contains minor faults. For one seam, splitting and a change in coal quality parallels the fault and fold axes. Although virgin reservoir conditions were similar, differing production performance north and south of the main fault suggests it acts as a barrier to water and gas flow along strike. The stable isotope analysis on the production water showed that waters with more positive δD and δ18O compositions were associated with areas of higher water production and shallower depths, whereas more negative δD and δ18O compositions were associated with lower water production and high gas production. The gas isotope analysis showed that production gases had both biogenic and thermogenic origins and that secondary biogenic gas generated through CO2 reduction comprises a significant portion of the CBM produced from this field. More negative CH4 δ13C values characterize the zones of meteoric recharge in shallow, up-dip areas. Gas production data and CO2 δ13C values suggest that this may result from 13CH4 stripping by the recharge waters and/or increased biogenic activity in this area. Smaller CO2–CH4 carbon isotopic fractionation values characterized zones of meteoric recharge, whereas higher isotopic fractionation values characterized the high gas production domain.

The effect of iron availability on the regulation of inorganic carbon acquisition in the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi and the significance of cellular compartmentation for stable carbon isotope fractionation

Iron is limiting phytoplankton productivity in large parts of today’s oceans, the so-called HNLC (high nutrient low chlorophyll) areas. It is a key component in photosynthesis during which inorganic carbon fixation in most phytoplankton species is sustained by so-called carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCMs). Here we investigate CCM regulation in the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi in response to varying degrees of iron limitation by means of membrane-inlet mass spectrometry. Compared to iron replete conditions rates of both active CO 2 and HCO 3 - uptake were markedly reduced under iron limitation leading to significantly diminished growth rates. Moreover, there was a concomitant decrease in CCM efficiency, reflected in an increased CO 2 loss from the cell in relation to carbon fixation. Under such conditions higher values for carbon isotope fractionation ( ϵ p) would be expected. However, direct measurements of ϵ p showed that carbon isotope fractionation was insensitive to changes in growth rates and CCM activity. This can be explained by concomitant changes in internal DIC fluxes in and out of the chloroplast as demonstrated with a simple cell model comprising two compartments. Thus, carbon isotope fractionation reflects the ability of phytoplankton to actively control their inorganic carbon acquisition depending on environmental conditions. The insensitivity of carbon isotope fractionation to changes in the availability of iron could be of interest for paleoreconstructions in the HNLC areas of today’s oceans.

Isotope trophic-step fractionation of suspension-feeding species: Implications for food partitioning in coastal ecosystems

Pacific oysters ( Crassostrea gigas) and blue mussels ( Mytilus edulis) were reared on a microalgal ( Skeletonema costatum) diet to estimate their diet-tissue isotopic fractionation ( Δ). We established that the diet-tissue fractionation value for stable carbon ( δ 13C) and stable nitrogen ( δ 15N) were around + 2.0 and + 3.6 for 13C and 15N, respectively. Equilibrium isotopic signatures, as well as turnovers of carbon and nitrogen in whole tissues, were approximated by exponential decay models. Half-life values in bivalves were about two times longer for carbon (around 8.5days) than for nitrogen (14.5days). We then used species-specific fractionation values to re-estimate contributions of food sources to the diets of similar suspension-feeding species, for which standard fractionation values had been assumed in previous studies. We emphasize the importance of knowing specific isotopic fractionation values to understand inter-specific trophic relationships and food webs.

Calcium isotope fractionation during coccolith formation in Emiliania huxleyi: Independence of growth and calcification rate

Recently, calcium isotope fractionation in the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi was shown to exhibit a significant temperature dependency. An important subsequent question in this context is whether the observed fractionation patterns are caused by temperature itself or related growth rate changes. In order to separate growth and calcification rate effects from direct temperature effects, batch culture experiments with the coccolithophore E. huxleyi were conducted under varying light intensities. Despite large changes in cellular growth and calcification rates, calcium isotope fractionation remained constant. Independence of calcium isotope fractionation on growth and calcification was also obtained in two additional sets of experiments in which growth rates changed in response to varying calcium concentration and seawater salinity. These experiments also showed no direct effects of calcium concentration and salinity on calcium isotope fractionation. Values for calcium isotope fractionation of E. huxleyi coccoliths fell within a range of −1.0 to −1.6 (1000 lnα), confirming earlier results. This range is similar to that observed in several foraminiferal species and coccolith oozes, suggesting a rather homogeneous calcium isotopic composition in marine biogenic calcite. Our data further show that the calcium isotope fractionation does not change with changing isotopic composition of seawater. This is a basic requirement for reconstructing the calcium isotopic composition of the ocean over time.

Isotope fractionation of cadmium in lunar material

The double spike technique has been used to measure the isotope fractionation and elemental abundance of Cd in nine lunar samples, the Brownfield meteorite and the Columbia River Basalt BCR-1, by thermal ionisation mass spectrometry. Lunar soil samples give a tightly grouped set of positive isotope fractionation values of between + 0.42% and + 0.50% per mass unit. Positive isotope fractionation implies that the heavy isotopes are enhanced with respect to those of the Laboratory Standard. A vesicular mare basalt gave zero isotope fractionation, indicating that the Cd isotopic composition of the Moon is identical to that of the Earth. A sample of orange glass from the Taurus-Littrow region gave a negative isotope fractionation of − 0.23 ± 0.06% per mass unit, presumably as a result of redeposition of Cd from the Cd-rich vapour cloud associated with volcanism. Cadmium is by far the heaviest element to show isotope fractionation effects in lunar samples. The volatile nature of Cd is of importance in explaining these isotope fractionation results. Although a number of mechanisms have been postulated to be the cause of isotope fractionation of certain elements in lunar soils, we believe that the most likely mechanisms are ion and particle bombardment of the lunar surface.

Sulfur biogeochemistry and isotopic fractionation in shallow groundwater and sediments of Owens Dry Lake, California

Groundwater and sediment samples (∼ 1 m depth) at sites representative of different groundwater pathways were collected to determine the aqueous speciation of sulfur and the fractionation of sulfur isotopes in aqueous and solid phases. In addition, selected sediment samples at 5 depths (from oxic to anoxic layers) were collected to investigate the processes controlling sulfur biogeochemistry in sedimentary layers. Pyrite was the dominant sulfur-bearing phase in the capillary fringe and groundwater zones where anoxic conditions are found. Low concentrations of pyrite (< 5.9 g kg − 1 ) coupled with high concentrations of dissolved sulfide (4.81 to 134.7 mg L − 1 ) and low concentrations of dissolved Fe (generally < 1 mg L − 1 ) and reducible solid-phase Fe indicate that availability of reactive Fe limits pyrite formation. The relative uniformity of down-core isotopic trends for sulfur-bearing mineral phases in the sedimentary layers suggests that sulfate reduction does not result in significant sulfate depletion in the sediment. Sulfate availability in the deeper sediments may be enhanced by convective vertical mixing between upper and lower sedimentary layers due to evaporative concentration. The large isotope fractionation between dissolved sulfate and sedimentary sulfides at Owens Lake provides evidence for initial fractionation from bacterial sulfate reduction and additional fractionation generated by sulfide oxidation followed by disproportionation of intermediate oxidation state sulfur compounds. The high salinity in the Owens Lake brines may be a factor controlling sulfate reduction and disproportionation in hypersaline conditions and results in relatively constant values for isotope fractionation between dissolved sulfate and total reduced sulfur.

Physiology and Phylogeny of Green Sulfur Bacteria Forming a Monospecific Phototrophic Assemblage at a Depth of 100 Meters in the Black Sea

The biomass, phylogenetic composition, and photoautotrophic metabolism of green sulfur bacteria in the Black Sea was assessed in situ and in laboratory enrichments. In the center of the western basin, bacteriochlorophyll e (BChl e) was detected between depths of 90 and 120 m and reached maxima of 54 and 68 ng liter(-1). High-pressure liquid chromatography analysis revealed a dominance of farnesyl esters and the presence of four unusual geranyl ester homologs of BChl e. Only traces of BChl e (8 ng liter(-1)) were found at the northwestern slope of the Black Sea basin, where the chemocline was positioned at a significantly greater depth of 140 m. Stable carbon isotope fractionation values of farnesol indicated an autotrophic growth mode of the green sulfur bacteria. For the first time, light intensities in the Black Sea chemocline were determined employing an integrating quantum meter, which yielded maximum values between 0.0022 and 0.00075 micromol quanta m(-2) s(-1) at the top of the green sulfur bacterial layer around solar noon in December. These values represent by far the lowest values reported for any habitat of photosynthetic organisms. Only one 16S rRNA gene sequence type was detected in the chemocline using PCR primers specific for green sulfur bacteria. This previously unknown phylotype groups with the marine cluster of the Chlorobiaceae and was successfully enriched in a mineral medium containing sulfide, dithionite, and freshly prepared yeast extract. Under precisely controlled laboratory conditions, the enriched green sulfur bacterium proved to be capable of exploiting light intensities as low as 0.015 micromol quanta m(-2) s(-1) for photosynthetic 14CO2 fixation. Calculated in situ doubling times of the green sulfur bacterium range between 3.1 and 26 years depending on the season, and anoxygenic photosynthesis contributes only 0.002 to 0.01% to total sulfide oxidation in the chemocline. The stable population of green sulfur bacteria in the Black Sea chemocline thus represents the most extremely low-light-adapted and slowest-growing type of phototroph known to date.

Oxygen isotope fractionation during synthesis of CaMg-carbonate and implications for sedimentary dolomite formation

Hydrous CaMg-carbonate was synthesized at temperatures of 40°, 60° and 80°C in the laboratory. This material has very similar mineralogical characteristics to natural disordered dolomite from the Coorong region in South Australia. Besides the dolomite variable amounts of amorphous carbonate are present in all samples. The oxygen isotope compositions of synthesized bulk carbonate samples (e.g., amorphous carbonate plus dolomite) plot significantly lower than the Northrop and Clayton (1966) dolomite-water equilibrium. Fractionated degassing of the samples, however, revealed relatively low oxygen isotope values for fast-reacting (using 100% H 3PO 4) amorphous carbonate. In contrast, slow-reacting dolomite has more positive oxygen isotope values, and calculated carbonate-water oxygen isotope fractionation values are close to strongest known dolomite-water oxygen isotope fractionation published earlier on. Variations of reaction/stabilization temperatures during synthesis gave evidence for dolomite formation from hypersaline solutions by a dissolution/reprecipitation process. It is likely that amorphous carbonate has been a problem in defining the dolomite-water fractionation in the past. Moreover, dolomite-associated amorphous carbonate contents probably led to incorrect speculations about lower oxygen isotope fractionation in a so-called protodolomite-water system.

Nitrogen isotope fractionation in 12 species of marine phytoplankton during growth on nitrate

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 255:81-91 (2003) - doi:10.3354/meps255081 Nitrogen isotope fractionation in 12 species of marine phytoplankton during growth on nitrate Joseph A. Needoba1,*, N. A. Waser2, P. J. Harrison1,3, S. E. Calvert2 1Department of Botany, and 2Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of British Columbia, 6270 University Boulevard, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada 3Atmospheric and Marine Coastal Environmental Program, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR *Email: needoba@interchange.ubc.ca ABSTRACT: The nitrogen isotopic composition of 12 species of marine phytoplankton were determined by isotope ratio mass spectrometry in order to investigate isotope fractionation associated with growth on nitrate. The species, representing diatoms, coccolithophores, dinoflagellates, green algae, and cyanobacteria, were grown in batch cultures in artificial seawater under the same laboratory conditions of constant light and temperature. The species (with isotope fractionation values in parenthesis) were: Thalassiosira weissflogii (6.2 ± 0.4‰); Chaetoceros simplex (2.7 ± 0.3‰); Ditylum brightwellii (3.3 ± 0.4‰); Skeletonema costatum (2.7 ± 0.3‰); Phaeodactylum tricornutum (4.8 ± 0.3‰); Emiliania huxleyi (4.5 ± 0.2‰), Isochrysis galbana (3.2 ± 0.4‰); Pavlova lutheri, (3.6 ± 0.5‰); Amphidinium carterae (2.2 ± 0.3‰); Prorocentrum minimum (2.5 ± 0.3‰); Dunaliella tertiolecta (2.2 ± 0.2‰); and Synechococcus sp. (5.4 ± 0.6‰). There was no relationship between isotope fractionation and organism group, nor was there a direct effect of cell size or growth rate on the degree of isotope fractionation among all the groups. Overall, the results show that isotope fractionation during growth on nitrate is lower than values obtained from field samples (i.e. 4 to 9‰). These results indicate that there is no simple mechanism for describing differences in isotope fractionation between groups of phytoplankton, and that a physiological understanding of isotope fractionation during uptake and assimilation of nitrate is needed to properly understand the δ15N signal generated by phytoplankton in the ocean. KEY WORDS: Marine phytoplankton · Nitrogen isotope fractionation · Nitrate · 15N:14N · Stable isotopes · Batch culture Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 255. Online publication date: June 24, 2003 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2003 Inter-Research.

Carbon isotopic composition of the C37:2 alkenone in core top sediments of the South Atlantic Ocean: Effects of CO2and nutrient concentrations

We have analyzed the stable carbon isotopic composition of the diunsaturated C37 alkenone in 29 surface sediments from the equatorial and South Atlantic Ocean. Our study area covers different oceanographic settings, including sediments from the major upwelling regions off South Africa, the equatorial upwelling, and the oligotrophic western South Atlantic. In order to examine the environmental influences on the sedimentary record the alkenone‐based carbon isotopic fractionation (εp) values were correlated with the overlying surface water concentrations of aqueous CO2 ([CO2(aq)]), phosphate, and nitrate. We found εp positively correlated with 1/[CO2(aq)] and negatively correlated with [PO43−] and [NO3−]. However, the relationship between εp and 1/[CO2(aq)] is opposite of what is expected from a [CO2(aq)] controlled, diffusive uptake model. Instead, our findings support the theory of Bidigare et al. [1997]that the isotopic fractionation in haptophytes is related to nutrient‐limited growth rates. The relatively high variability of the εp−[PO4] relationship in regions with low surface water nutrient concentrations indicates that here other environmental factors also affect the isotopic signal. These factors might be variations in other growth‐limiting resources such as light intensity or micronutrient concentrations.

DIET‐TISSUE FRACTIONATION OF STABLE CARBON AND NITROGEN ISOTOPES IN PHOCID SEALS

AbstractDiet‐tissue isotopic fractionation of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotopes in short‐ and longer‐term diet integrators of diet (i. e., blood serum and red cells), that involve non‐invasive sampling techniques was examined using three species of phocid seals (harbor seals, gray seals, and harp seals) fed a known diet. Variability in diet‐tissue fractionation values within and between species was also scrutinized to determine the legitimacy of using values obtained from one species to explore trophic positions and diets of other related species. All captive seals raised on a constant diet had tissues enriched in 13C and 15N relative to their diet. Diet‐tissue isotopic fractionation values were generally consistent among conspecifics and among phocid species for a given tissue. Trophic isotopic enrichment in 13C was significantly higher in red blood cells (+1.5%±) than in blood serum (+0.8%±), whereas the reverse was observed for nitrogen isotopes (+1.7%± in red cells vs. +3.1%± in serum). However, 13C‐depleted lipids were not extracted from blood tissues in this study. This results in a downward bias in the diet‐tissue fractionation factors for carbon for both red cells and blood serum, particularly the latter because of their significantly higher lipid contents (x̄± SD = 14.6 ± 2.3%; n= 20; red blood cells 3.8 ± 0.9%±; n= 50, muscle 7.7 ± 2.0; n= 21) in marine mammals.

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic fractionation between diet and tissue of captive red fox: implications for dietary reconstruction

The amount of isotopic fractionation (change in isotope ratios) between diet and animal tissues is generally poorly known and may be affected by trophic position. Diet-tissue fractionation of stable-carbon and -nitrogen isotopes was measured in several tissues of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) raised on a commercial pellet feed. Stable carbon isotopic fractionation in red fox was positive for all tissues and was greatest in fur (2.6‰), intermediate in muscle (1.1‰), and least in liver and blood fractions (0.4-0.6‰). These carbon isotope fractionation values were greater than those previously measured for mammalian herbivores but were similar to values for marine mammals in most tissues. Little variation in stable nitrogen isotopic fractionation occurred among tissues, except in the blood fractions. Nitrogen isotopic fractionation was much higher in blood serum (4.2‰) than in liver, muscle, and fur (3.3-3.5‰). Cellular fractions of blood had the lowest fractionation values (2.6‰). There was a significant age effect in nitrogen- but not in carbon-isotopic fractionation. Subadult foxes (&lt;1 year) were significantly enriched in 15N compared with adult foxes for fur, muscle, and liver (no blood was collected from adults). The cause of this enrichment is unclear, but it may be related to the higher rate of protein synthesis and catabolism in growing animals. This study is the first to report isotopic fractionation values for a terrestrial mammalian carnivore. Such estimates are necessary to interpret stable-isotope patterns in wild carnivores.