Article
Environmental Sciences
M. E. M. Walton, I Al-Maslamani, M. Chatting, D. Smyth, A. Castillo, M. W. Skov, L. Le Vay
Summary: The study suggests that migratory fauna may contribute to carbon outwelling in mangroves, but quantifying this process remains challenging, with 40-50% of fixed carbon unaccounted for. In arid mangroves, migratory fauna consume a small portion of mangrove litter production, indicating a relatively weak contribution to carbon outwelling.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Oceanography
Toru Kobari, Maharu Shinyashiki, Kanako Saito, Gen Kume, Mutsuo Ichinomiya, Tomohiro Komorita, Hiroomi Miyamoto, Yuji Okazaki, Fumihiro Makino, Ryuji Fukuda, Fujio Hyodo, Maki Noguchi-Aita
Summary: This study investigated the trophic sources and pathways of mesozooplankton and fish larvae in the East China Sea. The results showed that the main trophic sources for these organisms were copepods and appendicularians, and their dependence on diazotrophic production was greater in pelagic waters.
PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yujun Yi, Fanxuan Zhao, Qi Liu, Jie Song
Summary: This study investigated the influence of upstream runoff and sediment transport on estuarine food webs using stable isotope analysis and Bayesian mixing model. The results showed that the estuarine food web had high spatial-temporal variability, with higher stable isotope values of organisms on the northern shore. The input and diffusion of sediment and nutrients from runoff led to changes in dietary structure and trophic levels of consumers, as well as spatial differences in food web structure.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mehdi Moslemi-Aqdam, George Low, Mike Low, Brian D. Laird, Brian A. Branfireun, Heidi K. Swanson
Summary: The biomagnification of mercury in lake food webs was investigated in ten remote subarctic lakes in Northwest Territories, Canada. The study found significant biomagnification of mercury through the food webs of all lakes and identified forest cover as a key environmental driver of mercury biomagnification.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhifeng Huang, Abdul Qadeer, Saisai Zheng, Fangfang Ge, Kexin Zhang, Daqiang Yin, Binghui Zheng, Xingru Zhao
Summary: This study investigated the concentrations of PCB congeners, stable isotope levels, and FAs composition in ten freshwater species of Dongtinghu Lake, China. The results showed that the concentrations of certain PCB congeners increased with trophic levels, while PCB 155 concentrations remained consistent across trophic levels. Furthermore, there were positive correlations between FAs and PCBs, indicating that FAs can serve as efficient bioindicators of PCB pollution in aquatic food webs.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tatiparthi Srinivas, Soniya Sukumaran, K. Ramesh Babu
Summary: Stable isotopic methods are used to study food webs and quantify carbon sources in animal diets. This study focused on four abundant amphipod species in the Vashishti estuary and found that seasonal variations significantly affected isotopic values of organic matter, but not of individual amphipod species. The differences in isotopic values between amphipod species indicated species-specific diets, and the mixing model showed discrepancies in seasonal food preferences. The trophic level values of all amphipod species varied seasonally, with lower values after the monsoon, possibly due to anthropogenic nitrogen input.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shun Kawaida, Kusuto Nanjo, Naoya Ohtsuchi, Hiroyoshi Kohno, Mitsuhiko Sano
Summary: The study revealed that the sesarmid crab, with high cellulase enzyme activity, plays a crucial role in digesting and assimilating cellulose-rich detritus in mangrove ecosystems, facilitating the incorporation of detritus into the food chain. Stomach content analysis of benthivorous fishes showed that crabs, especially Parasesarma bidens, significantly contributed to their diets, leading to the incorporation of mangrove detritus into the fish species through their consumption of crabs.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Renyu Zheng, Yarong Liu, Zhaohui Zhang
Summary: Understanding the trophic transfer of heavy metals in mangrove ecosystems is crucial for assessing ecological exposure risks. The Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve in China is heavily polluted by industrialization and urbanization. Heavy metal concentrations and trophic levels were analyzed in various aquatic organisms and sediments. The results suggest biodilution and low risk for aquatic consumers, with different sources identified for different heavy metals.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhixin Ke, Ruofei Li, Danting Chen, Chunyu Zhao, Yehui Tan
Summary: This study investigated the spatial and seasonal distributions of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in dominant zooplankton groups in Jiaozhou Bay. The results showed that the distributions of these isotopes were influenced by terrigenous organic matter input and phytoplankton biomass, with variations observed in different seasons. The study also found a correlation between small zooplankton stable isotope values and particulate organic matter. The influence of anthropogenic nutrient input on isotopic baseline and trophic levels of zooplankton groups was discussed.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Lu Yan, Xianjun Xie, James W. Heiss, Kang Peng, Yamin Deng, Yiqun Gan, Qinghua Li, Yanpeng Zhang
Summary: In this study, the sources, preservation, and degradation of sedimentary organic matter (SOM) in the Dongzhai Harbor estuary were investigated using stable isotopes, spectral techniques, and hydrogeochemical analysis. The results showed that aquaculture, C3 mangrove forests, and marine plankton were the main sources of SOM along the estuarine gradient. Moreover, the preservation and degradation of SOM were controlled by sedimentation, hydrodynamic conditions, and geochemical reactions. These findings contribute to a better understanding of SOM dynamics in estuarine mangrove ecosystems and have implications for their protection and management.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jing Wang, Ri-Jin Jiang, Yi Xiao, Rui Yin, Feng Chen, Yong-dong Zhou, Han-Xiang Xu
Summary: This study investigates the ecological niche differences and resource sharing among five Sciaenid fish species in the waters of the Zhoushan Archipelago. The results show significant differences in carbon and nitrogen isotopic values in the muscle tissues of these fish species. Zooplankton is a key food resource for all species, and some species also feed on benthos organisms. Differences in trophic niche width and overlap are observed among the species.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Anthony Sturbois, Julien Cucherousset, Miquel De Caceres, Nicolas Desroy, Pascal Riera, Alexandre Carpentier, Nolwenn Quillien, Jacques Grall, Boris Espinasse, Yves Cherel, Gauthier Schaal
Summary: Ecologists working with stable isotopes face challenges in analyzing and representing complex datasets with temporal and spatial replication. A lack of commonly accepted conceptual framework in stable isotope ecology has hindered quantitative detection of functional patterns. The community trajectory analysis (CTA) framework provides more explicit perspectives for ecological trajectories. Building on CTA, the Stable Isotope Trajectory Analysis (SITA) framework allows quantitative analysis of stable isotope spatial and temporal dynamics and offers new graphical representation solutions.
ECOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dhanya Mohan Lal, Giri Bhavan Sreekanth, Chitra Soman, Anupam Sharma, Zeba Jaffer Abidi
Summary: The food and feeding relationships in the Ulhas River Estuary (URE) were analyzed using stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic signatures. The results showed that there were both a phytoplankton-based pelagic food chain and a detritus-based benthic food chain in URE. The ecosystem in URE exhibited a broader food web structure and higher trophic diversity, indicating the influence of anthropogenic activities on nitrogen pollution and trophic disturbance.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Yeon Jee Suh, Min-Seob Kim, Won-Kyung Lee, Hyunjin Yoon, Inkyeong Moon, Jaewoo Jung, Se-Jong Ju
Summary: This study investigated energy sources and trophic interactions among vent fauna in deep-sea hydrothermal vents in the North Fiji Basin. The findings indicate that symbiont-bearing taxa have different carbon fixation pathways or nutrient preferences. Niche partitioning was observed among omnivores, with different resources or microhabitats being utilized. The crab was found to be the top predator in the ecosystem, consuming a variety of prey but with a lower preference for mussels. Overall, the vent fauna displayed non-overlapping diets and spatial niches, with each taxon having unique energy sources.
Review
Ecology
MacKenzie K. Kjeldgaard, Jeremy A. Hewlett, Micky D. Eubanks
Summary: Stable isotope analysis is widely used to estimate trophic position and provide insight into ecological communities, but the variation in baselines and methodologies may lead to biased or erroneous conclusions. It is recommended to combine stable isotope analysis with other techniques, increase sample size, and use specific methods to enhance the robustness and accuracy of conclusions based on stable isotopes.
ECOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Patrick Reis-Santos, Mario Condini, Cristiano Q. Albuquerque, Tatiana D. Saint'Pierre, Alexandre M. Garcia, Bronwyn M. Gillanders, Susanne E. Tanner
Summary: The sclerochronological approaches using fish otoliths are valuable in evaluating fish responses to environmental variations, especially in regions with limited long-term data. The study on growth patterns and chemical records of dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus revealed the impact of environmental conditions on individual growth and otolith chemistry composition. Identifying the drivers of fish growth variations is crucial for conservation and fisheries management, as population dynamics and sustainable harvesting are closely connected to individual growth.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Bianca Possamai, David J. Hoeinghaus, Alexandre M. Garcia
Summary: Researchers should consider time lags in the incorporation of stable isotope values between sources and consumers when calculating baseline delta N-15 values. The Delayed method has been shown to be the most appropriate for improving trophic position estimates. Time intervals for isotopic assimilation play a crucial role in enhancing TP estimations and providing more reliable modeling results.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Lorena L. Almeida, Christopher D. Stallings, Mario Condini, Alexandre M. Garcia, Orian E. Tzadik, Christopher C. Koenig, Mauricio Hostim-Silva
Summary: This study investigated the trophic ecology of juvenile Atlantic goliath grouper in two estuaries in Brazil using a nonlethal method. The results showed a positive relationship between delta 15N and fish lengths, indicating trophic growth. The study provides valuable insights into the species' ecology and can help inform conservation efforts.
BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Rodrigo Ferreira Bastos, Daniel Lino Lippi, Ana Lidia Bertoldi Gaspar, Gilvan Takeshi Yogui, Thierry Fredou, Alexandre Miranda Garcia, Beatrice Padovani Ferreira
Summary: This study investigated the trophic ecology of two snapper species in a tropical coastal seascape. The research found that the trophic support and sources varied among different habitats and changed as the fish grew and migrated. The study also revealed the importance of habitat connections for these commercially valuable species.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Erika Belarmino, Marcelo Francisco de Nobrega, Alice Marlene Grimm, Margareth da Silva Copertino, Joao Paes Vieira, Alexandre Miranda Garcia
Summary: El Niño events have varying climatic effects due to factors related to oceanographic and atmospheric conditions. This study found a long-term decrease in A. brasiliensis abundance, which was more pronounced during stronger El Niño events and coincided with reductions in seagrass meadows. These findings highlight the potential intensified negative impacts of climate disturbances on A. brasiliensis abundance, especially with the expected increase in frequency of El Niño events.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mario Vinicius Condini, Helen Audrey Pichler, Ronaldo Ruy de Oliveira-Filho, Andre Pereira Cattani, Ryan Andrades, Ciro Colodetti Vilar, Jean-Christophe Joyeux, Marcelo Soeth, Juliana Beltramin De Biasi, Linda Eggertsen, Ricardo Dias, Carlos Werner Hackradt, Fabiana Cezar Felix-Hackradt, Julien Chiquieri, Alexandre Miranda Garcia, Mauricio Hostim-Silva
Summary: This study investigated the impact of the collapse of the Fundao dam in Brazil on fish assemblages in estuaries, coastal areas, and coral reefs, identifying fish species suitable as bioindicators for evaluating the long-lasting effects. The study found lower similarity in assemblages among estuarine areas compared to coastal and reef areas, with salinity having no statistically significant effect on fish abundance. Twelve fish species were identified as suitable bioindicators for assessing the long-lasting effects of contaminated sediments.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Lais S. Martins, Luiz E. Costa-Schmidt, Alexandre M. Garcia, Rodrigo F. Bastos, Marluci M. Rebelato, Alexandro M. Tozetti
Summary: The study found that L. occipitalis lizards partially depend on trophic subsidy from temporary ponds and other aquatic sources, indicating a close relationship in nutrient transfer between species. Therefore, conservation efforts for this endangered lizard species should prioritize the protection of temporary habitats such as ponds.
SOUTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HERPETOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mario V. Condini, Christopher R. Malinowski, David J. Hoeinghaus, Brittany L. Harried, Aaron P. Roberts, Brianne K. Soulen, Kathleen J. Roark, Alexis J. Khursigara, Luciano G. Fischer, Bianca Possamai, Mauricio Hostim-Silva, Alexandre M. Garcia
Summary: In this study, we investigated the spatial patterns of muscle tissue mercury contamination, the relationship between muscle mercury concentrations and total length, the relationship between muscle mercury and stable isotopes, as well as mercury concentrations in muscle, liver, and ovary tissues of the Dusky Grouper off the coast of Brazil. Out of 134 fish sampled, 21.8% exceeded the safe limit for human consumption. Mercury concentrations increased towards lower latitudes, while delta C-13 and delta N-15 decreased towards lower latitudes. There were significant differences in mercury concentration among the three tissues. The results provide useful information about the potential adverse effects on the health of this vulnerable species and serve as a guide for human consumers.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mario Condini, Alexandre M. Garcia, Rodrigo F. Bastos, Sabrina R. Vollrath, Ester F. Barbosa, Rafael L. Oliveira, Lorena L. Almeida, Mauricio Hostim-Silva
Summary: This study investigated the diet and trophic ecology of juvenile Atlantic goliath grouper in a tropical estuary and found that their diet composition and food assimilation varied across seasons. These findings have important implications for the management and conservation of early life stages of Atlantic goliath grouper in tropical estuaries.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cristiano Q. Albuquerque, Mario V. Condini, Susanne E. Tanner, Patrick Reis-Santos, Tatiana D. Saint'Pierre, Elisa Seyboth, Bianca Possamai, David J. Hoeinghaus, Alexandre M. Garcia
Summary: This study combined otolith chemistry and muscle stable isotope analyses to examine the population structure of dusky groupers and found three distinct populations along the southwestern Brazilian coast, named as North, Center, and South. The study suggests that these populations are influenced by the upwelling systems.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sabrina Radunz Vollrath, Susanne E. Tanner, Patrick Reis -Santos, Bianca Possamai, Alice Marlene Grimm, Bronwyn May Gillanders, Joao Paes Vieira, Alexandre Miranda Garcia
Summary: Ocean warming is causing fish to migrate towards higher latitudes, but the impact of global climatic phenomena such as ENSO on this tropicalization process has been overlooked. Understanding the combined effects of global and local factors on fish distribution and abundance is crucial for accurate predictive models. In this study, we investigated the influence of ocean warming, ENSO, and local environmental variability on the abundance of a tropical fish species in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Our findings revealed complex relationships between species abundance and environmental factors at different scales, suggesting that fish responses to climate change can be multifaceted.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Samanta Da Silveira Borges, Luiz Felipe Cestari Dumont, Alexandre Miranda Garcia, Valeria Marques Lemos
Summary: We report the first record of Common Snook (Centropomus undecimalis) in the Patos Lagoon estuary (32 degrees S), Brazil, and observed an expansion of its distribution southward to 32 degrees south latitude. This expansion is likely related to the intensification of the warm Brazilian Current.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Ana Luiza Santos Araujo, Adna Ferreira Silva Garcia, Edelti Faria Albertoni, Leonir Andre Colling, Joao Paes Vieira, Alexandre Miranda Garcia
Summary: Investigating the trophic ecology of the Plata pompano Trachinotus marginatus, this study used stomach content and stable isotope analyses to reveal its diet and nutrient sources during a critical phase of its life cycle. The study found that juveniles mainly consumed crustaceans, but fishes and annelids were the most assimilated preys in their muscle tissue. Isotopic analysis showed changes in their isotopic niches and trophic positions across ontogeny.
JOURNAL OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Valeria M. Lemos, Marianna Lanari, Margareth Copertino, Eduardo R. Secchi, Paulo Cesar O. de Abreu, Jose H. Muelbert, Alexandre M. Garcia, Felipe C. Dumont, Erik Muxagata, Joao P. Vieira, Andre Colling, Clarisse Odebrecht
Summary: Estuaries are important ecosystems that provide ecological and economic services, but they are facing threats worldwide. Long-term ecological studies are crucial for understanding and managing estuarine functioning, and for predicting scenarios.
EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE DATA
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Carlize D. Monks, Bianca Possamai, Alexandre M. Garcia
Summary: The study analyzed the gut contents of 227 juvenile Argentinean menhadens in the Patos Lagoon estuary to describe spatial patterns in diet composition and trophic plasticity associated with salinity conditions. The species mainly consumed calanoid copepods and diatoms, showing diet shifts along the salinity gradient. Juvenile menhadens displayed an omnivore diet and trophic plasticity adapting to different food availability in estuarine environments.
CAHIERS DE BIOLOGIE MARINE
(2021)