Spatial variation in δ13C and δ15N of liver, muscle and bone in a rocky reef planktivorous fish: The relative contribution of sewage

Troy F Gaston; I M Suthers

doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2003.11.022

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Spatial variation in δ13C and δ15N of liver, muscle and bone in a rocky reef planktivorous fish: The relative contribution of sewage

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Spatial variation in δ13C and δ15N of liver, muscle and bone in a rocky reef planktivorous fish: The relative contribution of sewage

Troy F Gaston and I M Suthers

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Vol.304(1), pp.17-33

2004

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2003.11.022

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Abstract

spatial variability

stable isotopes

planktivorous fish

mado

atypichthys strigatus

sewage

food chain dynamics

Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios in the liver, muscle and bone of a rocky reef planktivorous fish (Atypichthys strigatus) were compared amongst sewage impacted and non-impacted regions off eastern Australia. Fish were sampled in summer and autumn over 2 years from replicate sites across the three regions. Liver and muscle 15N ratios, representing short- (weekly) and long-term (yearly) nutrient integration, were depleted within the impacted region (10.0‰ and 12.0‰, respectively) relative to both non-impacted regions (11.4‰ and 13.6‰, respectively), consistent with the lighter 15N composition of primary treated sewage effluent (0.4‰), compared to marine derived particulate organic matter (POM, 8.2‰). Bone with the slowest turnover and longest integration time exhibited the least difference in 15N among regions (generally <1‰). Within fish variation in stable isotope ratios was found to differ among tissue types and between elements. Bone showed the least variation (5%), whereas liver had the greatest variation (29%). Up to 70% of the variance was observed amongst regions in almost all tissue/stable isotope combinations. With adequate replication at several spatial scales, small sample sizes had sufficient power to detect significant ecological variation. Compared to the massive but sporadic upwelling events, we find that the comparatively small yet continuous discharge of sewage off Sydney is an important nutrient source for planktivorous fish. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Details

Title: Spatial variation in δ13C and δ15N of liver, muscle and bone in a rocky reef planktivorous fish: The relative contribution of sewage
Authors: Troy F Gaston (Author) - University of New South Wales
I M Suthers (Author) - University of New South Wales
Publication details: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Vol.304(1), pp.17-33
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date published: 2004
DOI: 10.1016/j.jembe.2003.11.022
ISSN: 0022-0981
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451162502621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Ecology; Marine & Freshwater Biology