Work

Effects of acid washing on stable isotope ratios of C and N in penaeid shrimp and seagrass: Implications for food‐web studies using multiple stable isotopes

Year: 1995

Type: article

Abstract: We investigated the effects of acid washing on the carbon and nitrogen composition and stable isotope ratios of C and N in shrimp (Metapenaeus spp.) and seagrass (Enhalus acoroides). Acid washing did not affect the mean δ13C ratios for juvenile Metapenaeus moyebi and resulted in only an ecologically insignificant change (0.3‰) in mean δ13C ratios for larger Metapenaeus bennettae. In contrast, acid washing increased the mean δ15N signatures of shrimp tissue (∼ 3‰) and decreased that of seagrass (∼1.8‰) to a degree that may confound the interpretation of food webs. The increase in %C and %N in both shrimp and seagrass after acid washing suggests that the changes in isotope ratios are due to loss of molecules comparatively low in C and N. Treating samples by acid washing also resulted in an increase in the variation among individuals for both δ15N and δ13C, which would lead to a loss of statistical power for testing differences between species, sites, or seasons.

Source: Limnology and Oceanography

DOI: 10.4319/lo.1995.40.3.0622

Authors: S. E. Bunn, N. R. Loneragan, M. A. Kempster

Institutions: Griffith University, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

Language: English

Topic: Isotope Analysis in Ecology

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Griffith University