Isotopic fractionation between seawater and the shell of Scrobicularia plana (Bivalvia) and its application for age validation

• Published in: Marine biology Vol. 159; no. 3; pp. 601 - 611
• Main Authors: Santos, Sílvia, Cardoso, Joana F. M. F., Borges, Valeska, Witbaard, Rob, Luttikhuizen, Pieternella C., van der Veer, Henk W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.03.2012; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Bivalvia; Chemical properties; Environmental aspects; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Invertebrates; Isotope separation; Isotopes; Life Sciences; Marine; Marine & Freshwater Sciences; Marine biology; Microbiology; Mollusca; Mollusks; Oceanography; Original Paper; Physiological aspects; Scrobicularia plana; Sea water ecosystems; Sea-water; Seawater; Shells; Synecology; Zoological research; Zoology; Netherlands; Dissolve Inorganic Carbon; External Line; Bivalve; Growth Line; Seawater Temperature; Scrobicularia plana; Bivalvia; Shell(anatomy); Isotopic fractionation; Invertebrata; Mollusca; Age; Seawater
• ISSN: 0025-3162; 1432-1793
• DOI: 10.1007/s00227-011-1838-9

This study analyzed the isotopic profiles of four aragonitic shells of Scrobicularia plana in conjunction with measured seawater temperatures and salinities. Comparison of δ 18 O SHELL with expected values revealed fractionation of δ 18 O in near equilibrium with the ambient environment. Growth cessation occurred between November and March. Carbonate deposition stopped when temperatures were <12°C. Analysis of δ 13 C SHELL values suggested that carbon in the shell does not reflect the DIC in ambient water, likely due to the incorporation of metabolic carbon. An ontogenetic trend of increasing δ 13 C values over time was observed, likely related to changes in metabolic activity. Annual growth patterns were inferred from δ 18 O SHELL profiles and compared with internal and external growth lines. Estimations of age based on external lines were unreliable, resulting in overestimation of age and underestimation of growth rates, likely due to the disturbance lines being wrongly identified as annual. Analysis of internal lines may lead to over- or underestimation of age and was more reliable in recent portions of the shell.