Latitudinal distribution of nitrogen isotopic composition in suspended particulate organic matter in tropical/subtropical seas

Natural nitrogen isotopic composition (δ(15)N) of suspended particulate organic matter (POM) and nitrogen fixation rates via (15)N(2) assay were measured in surface waters along 120° E from 30° N to 30° S in the Asian marginal seas (the East/South China Seas and the Sulu/Celebes/Java Seas) and the northeastern Indian Ocean in November-December 2005 and March 2006. The POM δ(15)N values ranged from-1.8 to 12.2‰ with an average of 3.6‰ and showed a decreasing trend towards the equator in both hemispheres. In parallel, the measured N(2) fixation rates showed an increase from the subtropical to the tropical seas. This implies that a higher contribution of (15)N-depleted POM was derived from enhanced N(2) fixation. Water temperature and the stability of water column were partly responsible for the observed variations in nitrogen fixation. The large-scale spatial variations in suspended POM δ(15)N and N(2) fixation rates suggest that the suspended POM δ(15)N may be a potential indicator of nitrogen fixation in surface waters in tropical/subtropical seas.     

Natural abundances of 15N and 13C in leaves of some N2-fixing and non-N2-fixing trees and shrubs in Syria

A survey study was conducted on man-made plantations located at two different areas in the arid region of Syria to determine the variations in natural abundances of the ¹⁵N and ¹³C isotopes in leaves of several woody legume and non-legume species, and to better understand the consequence of such variations on nitrogen fixation and carbon assimilation. In the first study area (non-saline soil), the δ¹⁵N values in four legume species (Acacia cyanophylla,?1.73 ‰ Acacia farnesiana,?0.55 ‰ Prosopis juliflora,?1.64 ‰; and Medicago arborea,+1.6 \textperthousand) and one actinorhizal plant (Elaeagnus angustifolia,?0.46 to?2.1 ‰) were found to be close to that of the atmospheric value pointing to a major contribution of N₂ fixing in these species; whereas, δ¹⁵N values of the non-fixing plant species were highly positive. δ¹³C ‰; in leaves of the C3 plants were found to be affected by plant species, ranging from a minimum of?28.67 ‰; to a maximum of?23 ‰. However, they were relatively similar within each plant species although they were grown at different sites. In the second study area (salt affected soil), a higher carbon discrimination value (Δ¹³C ‰) was exhibited by P. juliflora, indicating that the latter is a salt tolerant species; however, its δ¹⁵N was highly positive (+7.03 ‰) suggesting a negligible contribution of the fixed N₂. Hence, it was concluded that the enhancement of N₂ fixation might be achieved by selection of salt-tolerant Rhizobium strains.     

Impact of diazotrophy on N stable isotope signatures of nitrate and particulate organic nitrogen: case studies in the north-eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean

During two independent cruises in the north-eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean, we applied two different approaches to investigate the impact of diazotrophy on nitrogen stable isotope signatures in nitrate and particulate organic nitrogen (PON) of the food-web constituents. The first approach, used during the Poseidon cruise 348 in the Mauritanian upwelling, investigated the long-term influence of diazotrophy on the natural abundance of δ¹⁵N-NO^? ₃ and PON. The second approach, adopted during the Cape Verde field cruise, applied stable isotope tracer addition experiments. These served to determine the instantaneous transfer of diazotrophic N to the higher trophic level. Both approaches showed that N₂ fixation was compatible with the pattern and the magnitude of the isotopic depletion of dissolved NO^? ₃ during the Mauritanian upwelling cruise, as well as PON in zooplankton and phytoplankton during the Cape Verde cruises. An N-budget using ¹⁵N incorporation rates and diazotrophic N₂ fixation rates showed that 6 % of the daily N₂ fixation was potentially taken up by the mesozooplankton community. Direct grazing accounted for 56 % of gross mesozooplanktonic N incorporation, while 46 % occurred due to channelling through the microbial loop.     

15N natural abundance of non-fixing woody species in the Brazilian dry forest (caatinga)

Foliar δ¹⁵N values are useful to calculate N₂ fixation and N losses from ecosystems. However, a definite pattern among vegetation types is not recognised and few data are available for semi-arid areas. We sampled four sites in the Brazilian caatinga, along a water availability gradient. Sites with lower annual rainfall (700 mm) but more uniform distribution (six months) had δ¹⁵N values of 9.4 and 10.1 ‰, among the highest already reported, and significantly greater than those (6.5 and 6.3 ‰) of sites with higher rainfall (800 mm) but less uniform distribution (three months). There were no significant differences at each site among species or between non-fixing legume and non-legume species, in spite of the higher N content of the first group. Therefore, they constitute ideal reference plants in estimations of legume N₂ fixation. The higher values could result from higher losses of ¹⁵N depleted gases or lower losses of enriched ¹⁵N material.     

Using the natural 15N abundance to assess the main nitrogen inputs into the sand dune area of the North-Western Negev desert (ISRAEL)

The variation of the natural ¹⁵N abundance is often used to evaluate the origin of nitrogen or the pathways of N input into ecosystems. We tried to use this approach to assess the main input pathways of nitrogen into the sand dune area of the north-western Negev Desert (Israel). The following two pathways are the main sources for nitrogen input into the system:

1. Biological fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by cyanobacteria present in biological crusts and by N₂-fixing vascular plants (e.g. the shrub Retama raetam);

2. Atmospheric input of nitrogen by wet deposition with rainfall, dry deposition of dust containing N compounds, and gaseous deposition.

Samples were taken from selected environmental compartments such as biological crusts, sand underneath these crusts (down to a depth of 90?cm), N₂-fixing and non-N₂-fixing plants, atmospheric bulk deposition as well as soil from arable land north of the sandy area in three field campaigns in March 1998, 1999 and 2000. The δ¹⁵N values measured were in the following ranges: grass ?2.5‰ to +1.5‰; R. reatam: +0.5‰ to +4.5‰; non-N₂-fixing shrubs +1‰ to +7‰; sand beneath the biological crusts +4‰ to +20‰ (soil depth 2–90?cm); and arable land to the north up to 10‰. Thus, the natural ¹⁵N abundance of the different N pools varies significantly. Accordingly, it should be feasible to assess different input pathways from the various ¹⁵N abundances of nitrogen. For example, the biological N fixation rates of the Fabaceae shrub R. reatam from the ¹⁵N abundances measured were calculated to be 46–86% of biomass N derived from the atmosphere. The biological crusts themselves generally show slight negative ¹⁵N values (?3‰ to ?0.5‰), which can be explained by biological N fixation. However, areas with a high share of lichens, which are unable to fix atmospheric nitrogen, show very negative values down to ?10‰. The atmospheric N bulk deposition, which amounts to 1.9–3.8?kg?N/ha?yr, has a ¹⁵N abundance between 4.4‰ and 11.6‰ and is likely to be caused by dust from the arable land to the north. Thus, it cannot be responsible for the very negative values of lichens measured either. There must be an additional N input from the atmosphere with negative δ¹⁵N values, e.g. gaseous N forms (NO _x , NH₃). To explain these conflicting findings, detailed information is still needed on the wet, particulate and gaseous atmospheric deposition of nitrogen.     

Characteristics of suspended matter in the River Sava watershed,Slovenia

A combination of C/N ratios, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values in suspended matter was used to examine the seasonal (late summer 2004 and spring 2005) relationship with hydrological characteristics of the River Sava watershed in Slovenia. The values of C/N ratios range from 1.2 to 19.1, δ¹³C values range from?29.2 to?23.0 ‰ and δ¹⁵N values from 0.5 to 16.7 ‰ and indicate that the samples are a mixture of two end members: modern soils and plant litter. A simple mixing model was used to indicate that soil organic carbon prevails over plant litter and contributes more than 50% of suspended material. The calculated annual particulate organic carbon flux is estimated as 5.2×10¹⁰ g C/year, the annual particulate nitrogen flux 8.5×10⁹ g N/year and the total suspended solid flux is estimated to be 1.3×10¹² g/year. Anthropogenic impact was detected only in a tributary stream of the River Sava, which is located in an agriculture–industrial area and is reflected in higher δ¹⁵N values in suspended matter and high nitrate concentrations in the late summer season.     

Equilibrating of 15N-Gases by Electrodeless Discharge: A Method of Indirect Mass Spectrometric Analysis of 30N2 for Denitrification Studies in Soils

Abstract

The estimation of denitrification in soil by the ¹⁵N tracer technique includes isotope analysis of gas samples with a nonrandom distribution of the N₂ mole masses of 28, 29 and 30. In that case the emission of total ¹⁵N is underestimated by calculating ¹⁵N atom fractions from the ²⁹N₂/²⁸N₂ ratio if ³⁰N₂ is not considered. ³⁰N₂ can be measured indirectly in N₂ enriched with ¹⁵N with nonrandom distribution of mole masses by mass spectrometric analysis. The nitrogen fraction of gas samples was transferred to discharge tubes. Microwaves (60 sec) generated an electrodeless discharge of the gas which caused a temporary split-up of N₂ molecules and thus established an equilibrium distribution of the mole masses. The ²⁹N₂/²⁸N₂ ratio was measured in equilibrated and in untreated samples to calculate the real emission of ¹⁵N. The measurements of ¹⁵N standard gases by this method satisfactorily coincided with calculated values for ¹⁵N atom fraction above a concentration of 50 δ‰.     

Feeding and Growth of Apple Snail Pomacea lineata in the Pantanal Wetland,Brazil—a Stable Isotope Approach

Abstract

Apple snails Pomacea lineata (SPIX 1827) are widespread in the tropical regions of Brazil as well as in the Pantanal wetland of Mato Grosso in the western part of the country. They have a key position in the Pantanal food web and serve as food for many animals e.g. fishes, birds, and caimans. However, little is known about their feeding preferences and growth rates. Stable isotopes have been used successfully on numerous studies as food source indicator. Therefore, the δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values of snails from 0.45 to 3.03cm in length, which were collected in the rainy season from March through May, were analyzed. Snails signatures revealed ambiguous evidence for food preferences. δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values ranged between ?2.8 and 12.4‰ and between ?24.2 and ?16.4‰, respectively. This range of values mirrors the highly variable isotope values of possible food sources comprising C₃ and C₄ macrophytes. To test whether all common food sources were similarly assimilated, feeding experiments with different diets were conducted. Snail eggs were reared in tanks and offered different but single plants. Snails fed different diets and δ¹³C values of the food were reflected in the animal tissue. Growth varied considerably in experiments with different diets indicating the preference for certain food sources. Also, the fractionation of nitrogen isotopes between food and animal varied from 0.1 to 17.0‰. The results are explained by different feeding habits, and it is supposed that animals fed either on the plant itself or on bacteria mats growing in the tanks. In an additional experiment juvenile snails were offered one single food with a distinctive C₄ grass signature. These snails did not grow detectably, but nevertheless isotope signatures approached to values of the diet.     

Field-based cavity ring-down spectrometry of δ13C in soil-respired CO2

Measurement of soil-respired CO₂ at high temporal resolution and sample density is necessary to accurately identify sources and quantify effluxes of soil-respired CO₂. A portable sampling device for the analysis of δ¹³C values in the field is described herein.

CO₂ accumulated in a soil chamber was batch sampled sequentially in four gas bags and analysed by Wavelength-Scanned Cavity Ring-down Spectrometry (WS-CRDS). A Keeling plot (1/[CO₂] versus δ¹³C) was used to derive δ¹³C values of soil-respired CO₂. Calibration to the δ¹³C Vienna Peedee Belemnite scale was by analysis of cylinder CO₂ and CO₂ derived from dissolved carbonate standards. The performance of gas-bag analysis was compared to continuous analysis where the WS-CRDS analyser was connected directly to the soil chamber.

Although there are inherent difficulties in obtaining absolute accuracy data for δ¹³C values in soil-respired CO₂, the similarity of δ¹³C values obtained for the same test soil with different analytical configurations indicated that an acceptable accuracy of the δ¹³C data were obtained by the WS-CRDS techniques presented here. Field testing of a variety of tropical soil/vegetation types, using the batch sampling technique yielded δ¹³C values for soil-respired CO₂ related to the dominance of either C₃ (tree, δ¹³C=?27.8 to?31.9 ‰) or C₄ (tropical grass, δ¹³C=?9.8 to?13.6 ‰) photosynthetic pathways in vegetation at the sampling sites. Standard errors of the Keeling plot intercept δ¹³C values of soil-respired CO₂ were typically<0.4 ‰ for analysis of soils with high CO₂ efflux (>7–9 μmol m^?2 s^?1).     

Conference Report

Soil from Free-Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment (FACE) plots (FAL, Braunschweig) under ambient air (375 ppm; δ¹³C–CO₂?9.8‰) and elevated CO₂ (550 ppm; for six years; δ¹³C–CO₂?23‰), either under 100% nitrogen (N) (180 kg ha^?1) or 50% N (90 kg ha^?1) fertilisation treatments, was analysed by thermogravimetry. Soil samples were heated up to the respective temperatures and the remaining soil was analysed for δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N by Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS). Based on differential weight losses, four temperature intervals were distinguished. Weight losses in the temperature range 20–200 °C were connected mostly with water volatilisation. The maximum weight losses and carbon (C) content were measured in the soil organic matter (SOM) pool decomposed at 200–360 °C. The largest amount of N was detected in SOM pools decomposed at 200–360 °C and 360–500 °C. In all temperature ranges, the δ¹³C values of SOM pools were significantly more negative under elevated CO₂ versus ambient CO₂. The incorporation of new C into SOM pools was not inversely proportional to its thermal stability. 50% N fertilisation treatment gained higher C exchange under elevated CO₂ in the thermally labile SOM pool (200–360 °C), whereas 100% N treatment induced higher C turnover in the thermally stable SOM pools (360–500 °C, 500–1000 °C). Mean Residence Time of SOM under 100% N and 50% N fertilisation showed no dependence between SOM pools isolated by increasing temperature of heating and the renovation of organic C in those SOM pools. Thus, the separation of SOM based on its thermal stability was not sufficient to reveal pools with contrasting turnover rates of C.     

Seasonal variation in natural abundance of δ13C and 15N in Salicornia brachiata Roxb. populations from a coastal area of India

High and fluctuating salinity is characteristic for coastal salt marshes, which strongly affect the physiology of halophytes consequently resulting in changes in stable isotope distribution. The natural abundance of stable isotopes (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) of the halophyte plant Salicornia brachiata and physico-chemical characteristics of soils were analysed in order to investigate the relationship of stable isotope distribution in different populations in a growing period in the coastal area of Gujarat, India. Aboveground and belowground biomass of S. brachiata was collected from six different populations at five times (September 2014, November 2014, January 2015, March 2015 and May 2015). The δ¹³C values in aboveground (?30.8 to ?23.6?‰, average: ?26.6?±?0.4?‰) and belowground biomass (?30.0 to ?23.1?‰, average: ?26.3?±?0.4?‰) were similar. The δ¹³C values were positively correlated with soil salinity and Na concentration, and negatively correlated with soil mineral nitrogen. The δ¹⁵N values of aboveground (6.7–16.1?‰, average: 9.6?±?0.4?‰) were comparatively higher than belowground biomass (5.4–13.2?‰, average: 7.8?±?0.3?‰). The δ¹⁵N values were negatively correlated with soil available P. We conclude that the variation in δ¹³C values of S. brachiata was possibly caused by soil salinity (associated Na content) and N limitation which demonstrates the potential of δ¹³C as an indicator of stress in plants.     

Stable isotopic and geochemical variability within shallow groundwater beneath a hardwood hammock and surface water in an adjoining slough (Everglades National Park,Florida, USA)

Data from a 10-month monitoring study during 2007 in the Everglades ecosystem provide insight into the variation of δ¹⁸O, δD, and ion chemistry in surface water and shallow groundwater. Surface waters are sensitive to dilution from rainfall and input from external sources. Shallow groundwater, on the other hand, remains geochemically stable during the year. Surface water input from canals derived from draining agricultural areas to the north and east of the Everglades is evident in the ion data. δ¹⁸O and δD values in shallow groundwater remain near the mean of?2.4 and?12 ‰, respectively. ¹⁸O and D values are enriched in surface water compared with shallow groundwater and fluctuate in sync with those measured in rainfall. The local meteoric water line (LMWL) for precipitation is in close agreement with the global meteoric water line; however, the local evaporation line (LEL) for surface water and shallow groundwater is δ D=5.6 δ¹⁸O+1.5, a sign that these waters have experienced evaporation. The intercept of the LMWL and LEL indicates that the primary recharge to the Everglades is tropical cyclones or fronts. δ deuterium to δ¹⁸O excess (D_ex values) generally reveal two moisture sources for precipitation, a maritime source during the fall and winter (D _ex>10 ‰) and a continental-influenced source (D _ex<10 ‰) in the spring and summer.     

Diet–consumer nitrogen isotope fractionation for prolonged fasting arthropods

Nitrogen acquisition for cellular metabolism during diapause is a primary concern for herbivorous arthropods. Analyses of naturally occurring stable isotopes of nitrogen help elucidate the mechanism. Relevant articles have cited (58 times up to mid-June 2011) anomalously elevated δ¹⁵N (per mil deviation of ¹⁵N/¹⁴N, relative to atmospheric nitrogen=0 ‰) values (diet–consumer nitrogen isotope fractionation; up to 12 ‰) for a prolonged fasting raspberry beetle (Byturus tomentosus Degeer (Coleoptera: Byturidae)), which feeds on red raspberries (Rubus idaeus: δ¹⁵N=～+2 ‰). Biologists have hypothesised that extensive recycling of amino acid nitrogen is responsible for the prolonged fasting. Since this hypothesis was proposed in 1995, scientists have integrated biochemical and molecular knowledge to support the mechanism of prolonged diapausing of animals. To test the validity of the recycling hypothesis, we analysed tissue nitrogen isotope ratios for four Japanese arthropods: the shield bug Parastrachia japonensis Scott (Hemiptera: Cydnidae), the burrower bug Canthophorus niveimarginatus Scott (Hemiptera: Cydnidae), leaf beetle Gastrophysa atrocyanea Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and the Japanese oak silkworm Antheraea yamamai (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), all of which fast for more than 6 months as part of their life-history strategy. Resulting diet–consumer nitrogen isotope discrimination during fasting ranged from 0 to 7‰, as in many commonly known terrestrial arthropods. We conclude that prolonged fasting of arthropods does not always result in anomalous diet–consumer nitrogen isotope fractionation, since the recycling process is closed or nearly closed with respect to nitrogen isotopes.     

Assessment of the origin and geothermal potential of the thermal waters by hydro-isotope geochemistry: Eskisehir province,Turkey

The thermal fluids vented over Eskisehir province have been investigated for their origin and to estimate the geothermal potential of the area. Thermal waters as well as bubbling and dissolved gases were collected and analysed for their chemical and isotopic features. Their isotopic composition varies in the range from ?11.5 to ?7.7?‰ for δ¹⁸O, ?84 and ?57?‰ for δ²H, and 0–7.2 TU for tritium. The gases (bubbling and dissolved) are mostly N₂-dominated with a significant amount of CO₂. The helium isotopic ratios are in the range of 0.2–0.66?R/Rac, indicate remarkable mantle-He contribution ranging between 2 and 10?% in the whole study area. Considering the estimated geothermal gradient about three times higher than the normal gradient, and the reservoir temperatures estimated to be between 50 and 100?°C using quartz and chalcedony geothermometers, a circulation model was built where possible mixing with shallow waters cool down the uprising geothermal fluids.     

Carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses coupled with palynological data of PM10 in Wrocław city (SW Poland) – assessment of anthropogenic impact

We have applied both palynological and carbon and nitrogen isotopic analyses of PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter of 10 μm or less) to trace its origin and to assess the anthropogenic impact for the area under study. The PM10 samples were collected in Wroc?aw (SW Poland) by the Regional Inspectorate for Environment Protection during the year 2007. The usefulness of the palynological observations in the case of PM10 is much lower than that for total suspended particles due to the resolution of absorbed particles, but is still helpful for distinguishing C₃/C₄ plants that indicate long-distance transport of pollutants. The δ¹³C(PM10) values varied seasonally from?26.9 to?25.1‰. The δ¹⁵N(PM10) values showed chaotic fluctuations and varied from 5.0 to 13.7‰. Our results indicated that during the heating period, the PM10 particles in Wroc?aw are derived mainly from local home heaters, whereas in the growing period, PM10 particles are derived from local transport and are partially generated by the industrial application of coal combustion outside the city of Wroc?aw.     

Spatial and temporal variability of stable isotopes and biological parameters for the Danube River in Serbia

This paper presents the results of hydrological, physicochemical, biological, and isotopic investigations of the Danube River along the stretch through Serbian territory conducted during four campaigns in September and November 2007, September 2008 and April 2009. The stable isotope values exhibited significant changes both in the Danube (?10.7 to?9.5‰ for δ¹⁸O and?73.7 to?67.1 ‰ for δ²H) and in its tributaries (?9.1 to?8.5‰ for δ¹⁸O and?69.4 to?59.4‰ for δ²H) depending on the time of survey, which could be partly attributed to the influences of seasonal effects. Results emphasise the dominant role of tributaries inflows from aquifers along the Danube. The very narrow range of δ¹³C_POC (from?28.9 to?27.4 ‰) was associated with relatively high C/N ratios (C/N>9), and together with δ¹⁵N_TPN values, the date suggested that, in early spring, a major fraction of particulate organic matter was derived from allochthonous matter. An orthogonal varimax rotation of the principal components analysis identified four latent factors (‘mineral related’, ‘biological’, ‘hardness’, and ‘soil inlets’) which are responsible for the data structure covering 79% of the observed variations among the variables studied. A reliable grouping of samples with respect to the season was found.     

Human and climate impact on 15N natural abundance of plants and soils in high-mountain ecosystems: a short review and two examples from the Eastern Pamirs and Mt. Kilimanjaro

Population pressure increasingly endangers high-mountain ecosystems such as the pastures in the Eastern Pamirs and the mountain forests on Mt. Kilimanjaro. At the same time, these ecosystems constitute the economic basis for millions of people living there. In our study, we, therefore, aimed at characterising the land-use effects on soil degradation and N-cycling by determining the natural abundance of ¹⁵N. A short review displays that δ¹⁵N of plant–soil systems may often serve as an integrated indicator of N-cycles with more positive δ¹⁵N values pointing towards N-losses. Results for the high-mountain pastures in the Eastern Pamirs show that intensively grazed pastures are significantly enriched in ¹⁵N compared to the less-exploited pastures by 3.5 ‰, on average. This can be attributed to soil organic matter degradation, volatile nitrogen losses, nitrogen leaching and a general opening of the N-cycle. Similarly, the intensively degraded savanna soils, the cultivated soils and the soils under disturbed forests on the foothill of Mt. Kilimanjaro reveal very positive δ¹⁵N values around 6.5 ‰. In contrast, the undisturbed forest soils in the montane zone are more depleted in ¹⁵N, indicating that here the N-cycle is relatively closed. However, significantly higher δ¹⁵N values characterise the upper montane forest zone at the transition to the subalpine zone. We suggest that this reflects N-losses by the recently monitored and climate change and antropogenically induced increasing fire frequency pushing the upper montane rainforest boundary rapidly downhill. Overall, we conclude that the analysis of the ¹⁵N natural abundance in high-mountain ecosystems is a purposeful tool for detecting land-use- or climate change-induced soil degradation and N-cycle opening.     

13C and 15N Abundances in the Sediment Core (VER 92/1-St-10-GC2) from Northern Lake Baikal

Abstract

Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope compositions of organic matter, TOC/TN ratio, and manganese concentration in a sediment core that was collected in northern part of Lake Baikal (VER92ST10-GC2, water depth at 922 m, about 3 m long) were investigated to elucidate the origin of the sedimentary organic matter and its associated environmental factors.

The sediment core was composed of mainly two parts: turbidite sections and other sections. Constant δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of the turbidite sections were observed (- 26.8 ±0.2 ‰ for δ¹³C and 3.2 ± 0.1 ‰ for δ¹⁵N) throughout the core. The higher δ¹³C in turbidite sections (about - 27 ‰) than that of the other sections (- 31 to - 29 ‰) was clearly observed, and δ¹⁵N was different between turbidite sections (about 3‰) and other sections (3 to 5 ‰). δ¹³C of other sections was close to that of pelagic phytoplankton, indicating that sediment other than turbidite sections is composed of autochthonous components. The variation of stable isotopes in other sections may be possibly caused by the changes in either phytoplankton growth rate or contribution ratios of terrestrial to aquatic plants for δ¹³C. Either denitrification or fluctuation of δ¹⁵N in pelagic phytoplankton can be the cause of variable δ¹⁵N in other sections.     

Differential response of two Pinus spp. to avian nitrogen input as revealed by nitrogen isotope analysis for tree rings

Temporal variations in N concentration and δ¹⁵N value of annual tree rings (1 year of time resolution) of two Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii) and three Japanese Red Pine (Pinus densiflora) trees under current breeding activity of the Great Cormorant (Pharacrocorax carbo) and the Black-tailed Gull (Larus crassirostris), respectively, in central and northeastern Japan were studied. Both species from control sites where no avian input occurs show negative values (δ¹⁵N = around?4 ‰ to?2 ‰) which are common among higher plants growing under high rainfall regimes. The δ¹⁵N values of P. densiflora show uniformly positive values several years before and after the breeding event, indicating N translocation that moved the absorbed N of a given growth year to tree rings of the previous year while a clear historical value of soil N dynamics was kept intact in the annual rings of P. thunbergii. Long-term N trends inferred from tree rings must take into account tree species with limited translocation rates that can retain actual N annual acquisition.     

Food webs in Mongolian grasslands: The analysis of 13C and 15N natural abundances

Overgrazing often lowers species richness and productivity of grassland communities. For Mongolian grassland ecosystems, a lack of detailed information about food-web structures makes it difficult to predict the effects of overgrazing on species diversity and community composition. We analysed the δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N signatures of herbaceous plants, arthropods (grouped by feeding habit), wild and domestic mammals, and humans in central Mongolia to understand the predominant food-web pathways in this grassland ecosystem. The δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of mammals showed little variation within species, but varied considerably with slope position for arthropods. The apparent isotopic discrimination between body tissue and hair of mammals was estimated as 2.0 ‰ for δ¹³C and 2.1 ‰ for δ¹⁵N, which was large enough to cause overestimation of the trophic level of mammals if not taken into account when using hair samples to measure isotopic enrichment.