Biogeochemical influences on the carbon isotope signatures of Lake Ontario biota

• Published in: Canadian journal of fisheries and aquatic sciences Vol. 56; no. 11; pp. 2211 - 2218
• Main Authors: Leggett, M F, Servos, M R, Hesslein, R, Johannsson, O, Millard, E S, Dixon, D G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa, Canada NRC Research Press 01.11.1999; National Research Council of Canada; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Aquatic life; Benthic fauna; Biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Biota; Carbon; Carbon dioxide; Carbon isotopes; Fresh water ecosystems; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Invertebrates; Isotopes; Lakes; Marine biology; Particulate organic matter; Synecology; Zooplankton; Great Lakes of America; Lake Ontario; North America; America; Organic matter; Primary productivity; Isotope labelling; Trophic relation; Biogeochemical cycle; Carbon; Chlorophyll a; Freshwater environment; Trophic chain; Seasonal variation; Invertebrata; Isotopes; Zooplankton
• ISSN: 0706-652X; 1205-7533
• DOI: 10.1139/f99-151

Particulate organic matter (POM), zooplankton, and benthic invertebrates were sampled seasonally at a midlake and east basin site in Lake Ontario. The δ 13 C values of POM samples were compared with measurements of chlorophyll a concentrations, areal rates of primary productivity, concentrations of dissolved free CO 2 (CO 2(aq) ), and the δ 13 C of zooplankton and benthic invertebrates. The δ 13 C of POM was significantly correlated with the concentration of CO 2(aq) at the east basin site. No correlation was found between chlorophyll a concentrations, areal rates of primary productivity, and the δ 13 C of POM. The δ 13 C of zooplankton was not always similar to the δ 13 C of the POM fraction collected, indicative of the complexity of food web interactions within the lower trophic levels. The δ 13 C of benthic invertebrates feeding on the sediment surface was similar to that of POM produced prior to stratification, indicating the importance of the spring bloom as a food source for benthic primary consumers.