Spatial distributions of δ13C, δ15N and C/N ratios in suspended particulate organic matter of a bay under serious anthropogenic influences: Daya Bay, China

Stable isotopic signatures (δ13C and δ15N) and C/N ratios of suspended particulate organic matter (POM) were investigated from the surface water of Daya Bay during summer and winter of 2015. The relatively high δ13CPOM values suggested the input of 13C-depleted terrigenous organic matter was low in Daya Bay. There were significant correlations between δ13CPOM values and chlorophyll a concentrations both during summer and winter, suggesting the δ13CPOM values were mainly controlled by the phytoplankton biomass in the surface water. The distribution of δ15NPOM values was more complicated than that of δ13CPOM and displayed low values in the outer bay and the Dan'ao River estuary. 15N-depleted ammonia originating from industrial wastewater might have strongly influenced the water quality and stable isotopic signatures of POM near the Dan'ao River estuary. The δ13CPOM and δ15NPOM values strongly reflect the influences of anthropogenic activity and eutrophication in Daya Bay.