STARDUST II - Spatial and Temporal Assessment
of high Resolution Depth profiles Using novel Sampling Technologies The fate of pollutants in fluvial and marine sediments in cross-border zones
Assessment of the pelagic food web structure of the Scheldt estuary from C and N stable isotope ratios
De Brabandere, L.; Dehairs, F.A.; Baeyens, W.F.J. (2002). Assessment of the pelagic food web structure of the Scheldt estuary from C and N stable isotope ratios, in: ECSA Local Meeting: ecological structures and functions in the Scheldt Estuary: from past to future, Antwerp, Belgium October 7-10, 2002: abstract book. pp. 37
In: (2002). ECSA Local Meeting: Ecological structures and functions in the Scheldt Estuary: from past to future, Antwerp, Belgium October 7-10, 2002: abstract book. University of Antwerp: Antwerp. 73 + 1 cd-rom pp.
It is well known that the d 13C and d 15N signatures of the inorganic/organic substrates at the basis of the food web set the isotopic signatures of the higher trophic levels. For the Scheldt system, seasonality of the (high) input of nutrients and organic matter and intensive reprocessing of this material in the river and estuary induce temporally and spatially variable isotopic compositions at the food web base, complicating the understanding of interdependencies at the higher trophic levels. Reprocessing of nutrients includes carbon fixation, heterotrophic respiration, uptake, excretion, ammonification, nitrification, denitrification. For C the most likely processes influencing d 13C of dissolved inorganic carbon are heterotrophic respiration and carbon fixation. For N, the processes influencing d 15N of dissolved inorganic nitrogen are organic matter mineralisation, nitrification, denitrification and autotrophic and heterotrophic uptake. The spatial and temporal variations in stable C and N isotopic composition of the suspended microbial biomass, including primary producers, reflect the seasonality of nutrient reprocessing and differential functioning between river and estuary. The impact of this seasonality and spatial variability is transferred up the food chain.
Alle informatie in het Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) valt onder het VLIZ Privacy beleid
STARDUST II is a project funded by the INTERREG III A programme (France/Walloon Region/Flanders
French-Flemish subprogramme) of the European Community's Regional Development Fund.
Hosted by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ)
