scholarly journals Intra-annual variability of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in suspended organic matter in waters of the western continental shelf of India

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 3923-3951
Author(s):  
M. V. Maya ◽  
S. G. Karapurkar ◽  
H. Naik ◽  
R. Roy ◽  
D. M. Shenoy ◽  
...  

Abstract. The δ13C and δ15N of water-column suspended particulate organic matter (SPOM), elemental carbon and nitrogen concentrations, and C/N ratios in SPOM, along with ancillary chemical and biological variables including phytoplankton pigment abundance, were determined every month, with the partial exception of the southwest (SW) monsoon period, from March 2007 to September 2008 at a fixed site located off Goa (central west coast of India). The results reveal significant shifts in isotopic signatures, especially δ15N, of SPOM before and after the onset of the SW monsoon. Very low δ15N values, reaching a minimum of −4.17‰, are found during the pre-monsoon period. Although the average δ15N values for the SW monsoon (6.55‰) and post-monsoon (6.19‰) are substantially higher, these values are lower than expected from a region that experiences intense water-column denitrification, as well as those reported previously from the open Arabian Sea. Our results provide the first direct evidence for the addition of substantial amounts of isotopically light nitrogen by the diazotrophs, especially Trichodesmium, in the region. The δ15N of SPOM is generally lower than the mean value (7.38‰) for surficial sediments in the region, presumably because of diagenetic enrichment. The results support the notion that sedimentary δ15N may not necessarily reflect denitrification intensity in the overlying waters due to diverse sources of nitrogen and variability of its isotopic composition. The observed intra-annual variability of δ13C of SPOM is small (seasonal averages: pre-monsoon: −21.40‰, SW monsoon: −20.41‰ and post-monsoon: −22.15‰). Phytoplankton production and probably species composition could drive the observed changes. Occasional shifts in δ13C toward more negative values are suggestive of terrestrial inputs, but by and large the SPOM in the region seems to be of marine origin with relatively low and constant C/N ratios (5.8–6.5) occurring throughout the study period.

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 3441-3456 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. V. Maya ◽  
S. G. Karapurkar ◽  
H. Naik ◽  
R. Roy ◽  
D. M. Shenoy ◽  
...  

Abstract. Intra-annual variations of δ13C and δ15N of water-column suspended particulate organic matter (SPOM) have been investigated to understand the biogeochemical cycling of C and N in the Western Continental Shelf of India (WCSI). The key issues being addressed are: how the δ15N of SPOM is affected by seasonally varying processes of organic matter production and respiration and how it relates to the δ15N of sedimentary organic matter that appears to show a decreasing trend despite an apparent intensification of seasonal oxygen deficiency over the past few decades? A secondary objective was to evaluate the sources of organic carbon. Elemental carbon and nitrogen concentrations, C/N ratios in SPOM, along with ancillary chemical and biological variables including phytoplankton pigment abundance were also determined on a seasonal basis (from March 2007 to September 2008), with the partial exception of the southwest (SW) monsoon period. The results reveal significant shifts in isotopic signatures, especially δ15N, of SPOM before and after the onset of SW monsoon. Very low δ15N values, reaching a minimum of −4.17 ‰, are found during the pre-monsoon period. Our results provide the first direct evidence for the addition of substantial amounts of isotopically light nitrogen by the diazotrophs, especially Trichodesmium, in the region. The δ15N of SPOM is generally lower than the mean value (7.38 ‰) for surficial sediments, presumably because of diagenetic enrichment. The results support the view that sedimentary δ15N may not necessarily reflect denitrification intensity in the overlying waters due to diverse sources of nitrogen and variability of its isotopic composition. The observed intra-annual variability of δ13C of SPOM during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods is generally small. Phytoplankton production and probably species composition could drive some of the observed changes. The largest changes (depletion of δ13C and increase in C/N) appear to occur during the pre- and post-monsoon seasons, presumably through episodic deposition of terrestrial organic matter from the atmosphere. During the SW monsoon, when a large input of terrestrial organic matter is expected through runoff from land, the C/N ratio remains low, but significant difference is observed between δ13C data in 2007 and 2008. Inputs of soil organic matter that may have elemental and isotopic signatures different from those of the conventional (C3 plant derived) organic matter could explain the constancy of the C/N ratio.


Soil Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Conrad ◽  
Ram C. Dalal ◽  
Ryosuke Fujinuma ◽  
Neal W. Menzies

Stabilisation and protection of soil organic carbon (SOC) in macroaggregates and microaggregates represents an important mechanism for the sequestration of SOC. Legume-based grass pastures have the potential to contribute to aggregate formation and stabilisation, thereby leading to SOC sequestration. However, there is limited research on the C and N dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM) fractions in deep-rooted legume leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala)–grass pastures. We assessed the potential of leucaena to sequester carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in soil aggregates by estimating the origin, quantity and distribution in the soil profile. We utilised a chronosequence (0–40 years) of seasonally grazed leucaena stands (3–6 m rows), which were sampled to a depth of 0.3 m at 0.1-m intervals. The soil was wet-sieved for different aggregate sizes (large macroaggregates, >2000 µm; small macroaggregates, 250–2000 µm; microaggregates, 53–250 µm; and <53 µm), including occluded particulate organic matter (oPOM) within macroaggregates (>250 µm), and then analysed for organic C, N and δ13C and δ15N. Leucaena promoted aggregation, which increased with the age of the leucaena stands, and in particular the formation of large macroaggregates compared with grass in the upper 0.2 m. Macroaggregates contained a greater SOC stock than microaggregates, principally as a function of the soil mass distribution. The oPOM-C and -N concentrations were highest in macroaggregates at all depths. The acid nonhydrolysable C and N distribution (recalcitrant SOM) provided no clear distinction in stabilisation of SOM between pastures. Leucaena- and possibly other legume-based grass pastures have potential to sequester SOC through stabilisation and protection of oPOM within macroaggregates in soil.


Author(s):  
Xuan Lu ◽  
Fengxia Zhou ◽  
Fajin Chen ◽  
Qibin Lao ◽  
Qingmei Zhu ◽  
...  

Elemental (total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN)) and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions (δ13C and δ15N, respectively) in the surface sediment of Zhanjiang Bay (ZJB) in spring and summer were measured to study the spatial and seasonal changes of organic matter (OM) and assess the human-induced and environment-induced changes in the area. The OM in the surface sediment of ZJB was a mixture of terrestrial and marine sources, and was dominated by marine OM (54.9% ± 15.2%). Compared to the central ZJB, the channel and coastal ZJB areas had higher δ13C and δ15N values, higher TOC and TN concentrations, and lower TOC/TN ratios, indicating higher primary productivity and higher percentages of marine OM in the latter two subregions. Mariculture activities, sewage inputs, and dredging were responsible for these phenomena. Clear seasonal variations in OM were observed in ZJB. The average proportions of terrestrial OM in summer increased by 10.2% in the ZJB channel and 26.0% in the coastal ZJB area compared with those in spring. Heavy rainfall brought a large amount of terrestrial OM into the channel and coastal ZJB areas, leading to the increase of the terrestrial OM fraction in these two subregions in summer. In summary, anthropogenic influences had a significant influence on the spatial and seasonal variations of sedimentary OM in ZJB.


2013 ◽  
Vol 316-317 ◽  
pp. 223-226
Author(s):  
Bao Zhan Liu ◽  
Yu Liu ◽  
Ying Li ◽  
Hai Xia Wang

Stable carbon and nitrogen compositions (δ13C, δ15N) of sedimentary organic matter were determined in the tidal flat of northern Yellow sea. The results showed that stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes compositions of the sediment samples ranged from −24.669~−19.457‰ and 2.125~7.043‰, respectively. The highest value was in St.DLD, and the lowest was in St.Z. Similar δ13C values were observed in St.H (−21.996±0.651‰) and St.P (−22.021±0.187‰), and similar δ15N values were between St.DLJ (5.502±0.223‰) and St.P (5.310±0.294‰). The δ13C and δ15N values did not show any significant regularity. The δ13C and δ15N signatures showed some fluctuation, no obvious regularity. The major source of terrestrial organic matter was from the emissions of river and human pollutant.


2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saulo Spanó ◽  
André Luiz Belem ◽  
Maria Do Rosário Zucchi ◽  
Paulo De Oliveira Mafalda Junior ◽  
Alessandro Lopes Aguiar ◽  
...  

Elemental and isotopic ratios (C/N, δ13C, δ15N) of sediment samples captured by PVC traps in eight stations along the coastal reefs of the Abrolhos region, Brazil, were analyzed. The study area is characterized by the influence of continental sediments on biogenic sediments. The highest δ13C values were found in the Sebastião Gomes (second shallower station), with average values close to -15‰ in all sampling periods. The isotopic ratio of carbon and nitrogen indicates that the organic matter analyzed has marine origin, with signature features of oceanic regions. The highest C/N ratio average value of 8.29 occurred in Nova Viçosa (the southernmost station and one of the shallowest) during the spring, in other seasons the average value was close to 7 in all periods. Although the values of C/N indicate a significantly marine contribution, δ15N values suggest that N series recycling processes are frequent during the time that the material remained in the environment. The results will provide a baseline for future environmental monitoring and studies on changes in sediment composition in an important set of coastal coral reefs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (13) ◽  
pp. 5310
Author(s):  
Mei-Yan Jin ◽  
Hye-Ji Oh ◽  
Kyung-Hoon Shin ◽  
Min-Ho Jang ◽  
Hyun-Woo Kim ◽  
...  

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in rivers are an important factor in pollution management due to the abundance of stored carbon. Using fluorescent spectroscopy, we investigated the temporal and spatial dynamics of DOM compositions, as well as their properties, for two of the major four regulated rivers—Han River (HR) and Geum River (GR) in South Korea. We collected eight sampling sites, four from each of the two rivers (from close to the weirs) in order to observe the integrated effects of different land use (terrestrial input) during the monsoon (July) and post-monsoon periods (September). High integral values of DOM compositions (July: 30.81 ± 9.71 × 103 vs. September: 1.78 ± 0.66 × 103) were present in all eight sites after heavy rainfall during the monsoon period, which indicated that Asian monsoon climates occupy a potent role in the DOM compositions of the rivers. Regarding DOM compositions, tryptophan-like and fulvic acid-like components were predominant in HR and GR, especially in GR with high integral values of protein-like and humus components. However, the properties of terrestrial DOM between HR and GR are markedly different. These results considered due to the different land use, where the terrestrial DOM shows a low degree of humification due to a high percentage of agriculture and urban land use in GR. Furthermore, these two rivers are typical regulated rivers, due to their weir constructions. High values of DOM components were present in the downstream of the weirs; however, increasingly high patterns appeared in the HR because of heavy rainfall (511.01 mm in HR; 376.33 mm in GR). In addition, a lower increasing trend of humic-like component was present in the GR due to a low percentage of forest land use/cover. These results suggest that the effect of the weir on rivers can be highlighted by the different percentages of land use/cover under the conditions of the monsoon period. Hence, DOM fluorescence can serve as an effective indicator for providing an early signal for the complex impacts of the different land use and rainfall in the regulated river systems.


2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Cozzi ◽  
Carolina Cantoni

AbstractConcentration and isotope composition of particulate organic matter were analysed from five coastal sites on the annual fast ice and in the underlying water column at Terra Nova Bay. The highest increases of POC (< 2767 μM C) and PON (< 420 μM N) were reached in bottom ice and the unconsolidated platelet layer, linked with a large accumulation of nutrients and dissolved organic matter. Isotope POM composition in ice habitats was highly varied (δ13CPOC: -30.7 to -15.0‰, δ15NPON: 1.8–9.9‰). Constant negative δ13CPOC (> -29.3‰) and positive δ15NPON (< 9.4‰) values characterized the upper ice horizons, indicating the prevalence of aged detritus in these assemblages. By contrast, isotope composition (δ13CPOC: -15.0 to -29.7‰, δ15NPON: 1.8–9.6‰) and POC/PON ratios (6.2–12.6) changed markedly in bottom ice and interstitial water, even on short time scales, because of the combined effects of internal growth and mixing among freshly produced biomass. Sea ice breakout caused a large settling of particulates in the water column. It changed δ13CPOC (from 7.9 to 1.8‰) and δ15NPON (7.9–1.8‰) values in suspended particulate matter, indicating that inputs from fast ice strongly affect the isotopic signature of the particulate assemblage Antarctic coastal waters.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bratkič ◽  
M. Šturm ◽  
J. Faganeli ◽  
N. Ogrinc

Abstract. The variability in the stable isotope signature of carbon and nitrogen in particulate organic matter and dissolved species in the water column of the mesotrophic subalpine Lake Bled in NW Slovenia has been determined. After the algae bloom from August to December in 2008, samples were taken from the deepest part of the lake which develops an anoxic hypolimnion for most of the year. C/N molar ratios and δ13CPOC and δ15NPN values suggest an autochthonous source for particulate organic matter (POM). According to the isotope model, autochthonous carbon accounted for a major part of the particulate organic carbon (POC), ranging from 86% to 96% in September and October, while in December the proportion of allochthonous carbon was more pronounced, ranging from 57% to 59%. Low δ13CPOC and δ15NPN values (from −36 to −33‰ and from 0.8 to 1.8‰), observed below 24 m in August and September, indicate the bacterial origin of POM, mainly from methanotrophic bacteria. δ15NNO3 and δ15NPN values decreased with depth. The relations between δ15NPN and NO3- and NH4+ concentrations suggest that NH4+ is the main assimilation species for nitrogen in POM. Nitrification was active between 12 and 18 m deep in September and October, indicated by increased NO3- concentrations and decreased δ15NNO3 values. The correlation between nitrate concentrations and δ15NNO3 values suggests active water column denitrification in October 2008. The decrease in δ15NNO3 values observed in December could be explained by degradation of organic matter, followed by nitrification of the degradation products. During our sampling period, there was no evident influence of sewage, agriculture, or atmospheric deposition on the nitrogen balance in the lake.


2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Sathy A. Naidu ◽  
Kandasamy Kathiresan ◽  
Jeffrey H. Simonson ◽  
Arny L. Blanchard ◽  
Christian J. Sanders ◽  
...  

Differences in grain size, total organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), OC/TN ratios, and stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) were assessed in sediments from areas covered by mangrove and saltmarsh vegetation within Pichavaram estuary (Southeast India). The mean percentage contents of silt and clays (70 vs. 19%), OC (5.7 vs. 2.0%), and TN (0.39 vs. 0.14%) were consistently higher in the mangrove as compared to those observed in the saltmarsh tidal zone. These differences may obey the higher deposition and retention of fine particles in the presence of a mangrove root system that may facilitate the accumulation and preservation of organic matter within these sedimentary systems. Further, higher OC and TN contents were associated to higher terrestrial or mangrove-derived organic matter contribution with lighter δ13C signatures (−26.0‰) in both sedimentary tidal zones, whereas lower OC and TN contents were associated to heavier δ13C signatures. This study is in agreement with previous studies which indicate that the presence of wetland vegetation may increase the carbon and nutrient storage capacity within estuarine ecosystems, highly relevant information for the establishment of further conservation strategies for blue carbon ecosystems at global scales.


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