Carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica: Depth-related variations

[en] Nitrogen (delta(15)N) and carbon (delta(13)C) isotopic compositions of Posidonia oceanica were determined during three seasons along a bathymetric gradient (438 m depth).The delta(15)N values are low (2.2+/-0.9%) and variable.They do not show any relation to depth or sampling dates. There is a significant difference between the delta(15)N values of the youngest and the oldest leaves, probably as a result of N resorption and senescing during leaf ageing. The delta(13)C values of young Posidonia leaves vary with depth, showing the relationship between delta(13)C values and primary productivity rate, and the use of a bicarbonate/CO2 mixture as an inorganic carbon source. The delta(13)C values of the oldest P. oceanica leaves are depleted in C-13 compared to those of young leaves. This modification of the C-13 signatures in relation to leaf age is particularly important between 20 and 29 m depth. This modification could be related to photosynthetic rate change during ageing, but also to change in carbohydrate composition and content.

Research Center/Unit :

MARE - Centre Interfacultaire de Recherches en Océanologie - ULiège

Disciplines :

Aquatic sciences & oceanology
Phytobiology (plant sciences, forestry, mycology...)

Author, co-author :

Lepoint, Gilles ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences et gestion de l'environnement > Océanologie

Dauby, Patrick ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences et gestion de l'environnement > Systématique et diversité animale

Fontaine, Michael ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de chimie (sciences) > Chimie macromoléculaire et catalyse organique

Bouquegneau, Jean-Marie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences et gestion de l'environnement > Océanologie

Gobert, Sylvie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences et gestion de l'environnement > Océanologie

Language :

English

Title :

Carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica: Depth-related variations

Publication date :

2003

Journal title :

Botanica Marina

ISSN :

0006-8055

eISSN :

1437-4323

Publisher :

Walter De Gruyter & Co, Berlin, Germany

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

555-561

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Funders :

FRIA - Fonds pour la Formation à la Recherche dans l'Industrie et dans l'Agriculture
FWB - Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles

Available on ORBi :

since 25 November 2008

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