Isotopic ratios and elemental contents as indicators of seagrass C processing and sewage influence in a tropical macrotidal ecosystem (Madagascar, Mozambique Channel)
Lepoint, G.; Frédérich, B.; Gobert, S.; Parmentier, E. (2008). Isotopic ratios and elemental contents as indicators of seagrass C processing and sewage influence in a tropical macrotidal ecosystem (Madagascar, Mozambique Channel). Sci. Mar. (Barc.) 72(1): 109-117. dx.doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2008.72n1109
In: Scientia Marina (Barcelona). Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Institut de Ciènces del Mar: Barcelona. ISSN 0214-8358; e-ISSN 1886-8134, more
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| Keywords |
Coastal environment
Cycles > Chemical cycles > Geochemical cycle > Biogeochemical cycle > Nutrient cycles > Nitrogen cycle
Ecosystems
Habitat
Impacts
Isotopes > Carbon isotopes
Seagrass
Topographic features > Landforms > Coastal landforms > Tidal flats
Wastes > Sewage
Halophila ovalis (R.Brown) J.D.Hooker, 1858 [WoRMS]; Thalassia hemprichii (Ehrenberg) Ascherson, 1871 [WoRMS]
ISW, Indian Ocean [Marine Regions]; ISW, Malagasy Rep., Toliara [Marine Regions]; ISW, Mozambique Channel [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
sewage impact; coastal ecosystem; seagrass; stable isotopes; tidal habitat; SW Indian Ocean |
| Abstract |
Isotopic ratios and elemental concentrations of carbon and nitrogen were measured in seven seagrass species colonising different tidal flats near Toliara (SW Madagascar) in order to determine the potential use of these parameters for assessing C processing and sewage use by tropical seagrasses. Nitrogen concentrations measured in upper intertidal seagrasses near Toliara were almost twice those measured on the tidal flat near a healthy mangrove situated 20 km away from Toliara town. At Toliara Beach, d15N values were correlated with the N concentrations of Halodule sp., one of the dominant species on the tidal flat. This correlation did not exist for Halophila ovalis, the other dominant species. An increase in N concentrations and d15N values demonstrates the influence of sewage coming directly onto Toliara Beach on the N cycles of intertidal seagrasses. Nevertheless, this influence seems restricted to the upper littoral zone and was not the main cause of seagrass die-off. On the other hand, at the mangrove site, d15N values were not correlated with the N concentrations of Halodule sp. or Thalassia hemprichii, showing that natural d15N variability is driven by other factors than the d15N of N sources. Moreover, inter-individual variability of d15N values was greater than inter-specific or inter-site variability, making the d15N difficult to interpret in the context of human-disturbance influence on the N cycle of tropical seagrasses. d13C values were close to -9‰, indicating the use of HCO3- as an inorganic carbon source by the seven investigated species. Contrary to our hypothesis, variation between sites and location on the tidal flat was limited, suggesting limited impact on d13C values of sewage, emersion duration and mechanisms for HCO3- incorporation. |
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