Spatial variation of the d13 C signature of Ruppia megacarpa (Mason) in coastal lagoons of south-western Australia and its implication for isotopic studies
Document Type
Journal Article
Publisher
Elsevier
Faculty
Faculty of Computing, Health and Science
School
School of Natural Sciences
RAS ID
894
Abstract
Ruppia megacarpa was collected from three coastal lagoons in southwestern Australia: Nornalup Inlet, Peel Inlet and Oyster Harbour. In each case, plants were sampled from four sites and δ 13C values were determined for leaves, rhizomes and roots of replicate plants to assess the variability between lagoons, between sites in lagoons and between plant parts at sites. The δ 13C values of tissue ranged from −6.6 to −17.8‰ with a mean of −11.15‰. In Nornalup Inlet, there were significant differences in the δ 13C values of different plant parts, but there was also a significant interaction between plant part and site. In Peel Inlet significant differences were found between plant parts and between sites. Oyster Harbour displayed no significant differences in δ 13C values between any of these factors. The δ 13C values of R. megacarpa were highly variable, with only one other marine angiosperm having a higher recorded range in values. Significant differences in δ 13C values occurred between sites within lagoons and between plant parts, and the pattern of spatial variability was different in each lagoon. The spatial differences within lagoons appear to relate to differences in water quality resulting from proximity to river and ocean inputs. Differences between plant parts may be related to the storage of biochemical products with distinct isotope ratios. Trophic studies, therefore, need to be conducted in a way that explicitly identifies the spatial scales that capture the variability in δ 13C values relevant to the aims of the study.
DOI
10.1016/S0304-3770(01)00177-2
Comments
Boyce, M. C., Lavery, P. S., Weatherill, P. J., & Horwitz, P. (2001). Spatial variation of the d13 C signature of Ruppia megacarpa (Mason) in coastal lagoons of south-western Australia and its implication for isotopic studies. Aquatic Botany , 71(2), 83 -92. Available here".