Spatial variations in δ13C and δ15N values of primary consumers in a coastal lagoon

The analysis of the contribution of a food source to a consumer's diet or the trophic position of a consumer is highly sensitive to the variability of the isotopic values used as input data. However, little is known in coastal lagoons about the spatial variations in the isotopic values of primary consumers considered ‘end members’ in the isotope mixing models for quantifying the diet of secondary consumers or as a baseline for estimating the trophic position of consumers higher up in the food web. We studied the spatial variations in the δ13C and δ15N values of primary consumers and sedimentary organic matter (SOM) within a selected area of the Cabras lagoon (Sardinia, Italy). Our aim was to assess how much of the spatial variation in isotopic values of primary consumers was due to the spatial variability between sites and how much was due to differences in short distances from the shore. Samples were collected at four stations (50–100 m apart) selected randomly at two sites (1.5–2 km apart) chosen randomly at two distances from the shore (i.e. in proximity of the shore – Nearshore – and about 200 m away from the shore – Offshore). The sampling was repeated in March, May and August 2006 using new sites at the two chosen distances from the shore on each date. The isotopic values of size-fractionated seston and macrophytes were also analyzed as a complementary characterization of the study area. While δ15N did not show any spatial variations, the δ13C values of deposit feeders, Alitta (=Neanthes) succinea, Lekanesphaera hookeri, Hydrobia acuta and Gammarus aequicauda, were more depleted Offshore than Nearshore. For these species, there were significant effects of distance or distance × dates in the mean δ13C values, irrespective of the intrinsic variation between sites. SOM showed similar spatial variations in δ13C values, with Nearshore-Offshore differences up to 6‰. This indicates that the spatial isotopic changes are transferred from the food sources to the deposit feeders studied. In contrast, δ13C and δ15N values of suspension feeders, Ficopomatus enigmaticus and Amphibalanus amphitrite, did not show major variations, either between sites, or between Nearshore and Offshore. These different patterns between deposit feeders and suspension feeders are probably due to a weaker trophic link of the latter with SOM. We suggest that the Nearshore-Offshore gradient might be an important source of isotopic variation that needs to be considered in future web studies in coastal lagoons.

► Spatial variations in δ13C and δ15N of SOM and primary consumers were analyzed using a multifactorial sampling design.
► Differences between Nearshore and Offshore were more important than differences between sites.
► δ13C values of SOM and deposit feeders, but not of suspension feeders, were more depleted Offshore than Nearshore.
► No spatial variations were found in the δ15N values of SOM, deposit feeders and suspension feeders.
► The Nearshore-Offshore gradient is a major source of isotopic variation which has to be considered in lagoon food web studies.