Mollusk shells contain geochemical information about environmental conditions that prevailed at the time of formation. We investigated ontogenetic and seasonal variations of δ¹³C in calcitic shells of Pecten maximus. Ontogenetic variations of δ¹³C shell in three large specimens collected in Norway, France, and Spain exhibited a similar linear decrease with increasing shell height. We removed this linear drift (detrending). These three residual time series displayed variations that could be linked to environmental fluctuations. To check it, we reanalyzed the isotopic datasets of Lorrain et al. (Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 275:47-61, 2002, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 68:3509-3519, 2004), who worked on three scallops harvested in 2000 in the bay of Brest (France), a well-monitored ecosystem. Lowest values of δ¹³C shell detrended were recorded in all shells in late springearly summer, most likely reflecting corresponding variations in food availability. Our results indicate that ontogenetic and seasonal variations of δ¹³C shell cannot be used as a proxy for past δ¹³C DIC variations but should be considered as promising tools for ecophysiological studies.
Estuaries & Coasts is the journal of the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation. Begun in 1977 as Chesapeake Science, the journal has gradually expanded its scope and circulation. Today, the journal publishes manuscripts covering aspects of research on physical, chemical, geological or biological systems, as well as management of those systems, at the interface between the land and the sea. The interface is broadly defined to include areas within estuaries, lagoons, wetlands, tidal rivers, watersheds that include estuaries, and near-shore coastal waters. The journal publishes original research findings, reviews, techniques, and comments.
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