Effects of light on the stable carbon isotope composition of the seagrass Thalassia testudinum
Durako, M.J.; Hall, M.O. (1992). Effects of light on the stable carbon isotope composition of the seagrass Thalassia testudinum. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 86: 99-101. https://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps086099
In: Marine Ecology Progress Series. Inter-Research: Oldendorf/Luhe. ISSN 0171-8630; e-ISSN 1616-1599, more
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| Keywords |
Carbon 13
Chemical reactions > Photochemical reactions > Photosynthesis
Composition > Biochemical composition
Environmental effects > Light effects
Flora > Weeds > Marine organisms > Seaweeds > Sea grass
Isotopes > Carbon isotopes
Thalassia testudinum K.D.Koenig, 1805 [WoRMS]
ASW, USA, Florida [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Abstract |
Changes in the stable carbon isotope composition of Thalassia testudinum (turtle grass) leaves were measured in response to in situ light-reduction treatments in Tampa Bay, Florida, USA. Leaf delta 13C values of shaded T. testudinum were significantly lower than those of unshaded controls in both shallow (0.75 m below MLW) and deep (2 m below MLW) sites. Changes in leaf delta 13C were correlated with differences in the relative amount of light reaching the experimental treatments, and the magnitude of the responses increased between 1 and 3 mo after initiation of the shade treatments. Because of the close proximity of the experimental and control sites, the decrease in delta 13C in response to shading probably reflects a process (i.e. isotopic fractionation) effect rather than a source (i.e. dissolved inorganic carbon) effect. Greater isotopic fractionation in shaded T. testudinum may reflect reduced carbon demand and, hence, greater relative availability of carbon at lower irradiances. Thus, as light is reduced to levels that limit photosynthetic rates in T. testudinum , carbon appears to become non-limiting. |
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