The 13C, 15N and 34S signatures of a rocky reef planktivorous fish indicate different coastal discharges of sewage

Troy F Gaston; A Kostoglidis; I M Suthers

doi:10.1071/MF03142

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The 13C, 15N and 34S signatures of a rocky reef planktivorous fish indicate different coastal discharges of sewage

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The 13C, 15N and 34S signatures of a rocky reef planktivorous fish indicate different coastal discharges of sewage

Troy F Gaston, A Kostoglidis and I M Suthers

Marine and Freshwater Research, Vol.55(7), pp.689-699

2004

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/MF03142

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Abstract

food chain dynamics

planktivorous fish

sewage

stable isotope analysis

We assessed the effects of primary, secondary and tertiary treated sewage on the stable isotope composition of the viscera and muscle of the zooplanktivorous eastern hula fish (Plesiopidae: Trachinops taeniatus). Fish were collected from three regions during three consecutive summer months for 2 years. In comparison to fish from control sites, the muscle δ 15N of fish at outfall sites was significantly enriched by secondary and tertiary treated effluent. We estimate that 30-50% of nitrogen in hula fish near outfalls may be sewage-derived. The δ34S content of muscle was similar at all regions and sites (20-21‰), although it was significantly depleted by 1-2‰ at the tertiary treated outfall site. Detection of a comparatively minor volume of effluent (<6 ML day -1) in fish muscle may be due to its slower tissue turnover rate and the continuous discharge of effluent at outfall sites, compared to major yet sporadic rainfall or oceanographic events. The isotopic composition of hula fish from near a large primary treated sewage outfall off the coast of Sydney was not significantly different from one of the control sites, indicating a regional effect of four outfalls discharging > 1000 ML day-1. With increasing upgrades to sewage treatment, stable isotopes may become useful tracers of anthropogenic nutrients in an oligotrophic environment.

Details

Title: The 13C, 15N and 34S signatures of a rocky reef planktivorous fish indicate different coastal discharges of sewage
Authors: Troy F Gaston (Author) - University of New South Wales
A Kostoglidis (Author) - University of New South Wales
I M Suthers (Author) - University of New South Wales
Publication details: Marine and Freshwater Research, Vol.55(7), pp.689-699
Publisher: C S I R O Publishing
Date published: 2004
DOI: 10.1071/MF03142
ISSN: 1323-1650
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451080302621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Fisheries; Limnology; Marine & Freshwater Biology; Oceanography