High congruence of isotope sewage signals in multiple marine taxa

R M Connolly; D Gorman; J S Hindell; T N Kildea; Thomas Schlacher

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.03.021

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High congruence of isotope sewage signals in multiple marine taxa

Journal article

Peer reviewed

High congruence of isotope sewage signals in multiple marine taxa

R M Connolly, D Gorman, J S Hindell, T N Kildea and Thomas Schlacher

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol.71(1-2), pp.152-158

2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.03.021

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Abstract

sewage

nitrogen isotopes

monitoring

spatial gradients

coastal waters

Assessments of sewage pollution routinely employ stable nitrogen isotope analysis (δ15N) in biota, but multiple taxa are rarely used. This single species focus leads to underreporting of whether derived spatial N patterns are consistent. Here we test the question of 'reproducibility', incorporating 'taxonomic replication' in the measurement of δ15N gradients in algae, seagrasses, crabs and fish with distance from a sewage outfall on the Adelaide coast (southern Australia). Isotopic sewage signals were equally strong in all taxa and declined at the same rate. This congruence amongst taxa has not been reported previously. It implies that sewage-N propagates to fish via a tight spatial coupling between production and consumption processes, resulting from limited animal movement that closely preserves the spatial pollution imprint. In situations such as this where consumers mirror pollution signals of primary producers, analyses of higher trophic levels will capture a broader ambit of ecological effects.

Details

Title: High congruence of isotope sewage signals in multiple marine taxa
Authors: R M Connolly (Author) - Griffith University
D Gorman (Author) - South Australian Research and Development Institute
J S Hindell (Author) - Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment
T N Kildea (Author) - Australian Water Quality Centre
Thomas Schlacher (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Publication details: Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol.71(1-2), pp.152-158
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd.
Date published: 2013
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.03.021
ISSN: 0025-326X
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99448613202621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Industry collaboration; Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Environmental Sciences; Marine & Freshwater Biology