The use of stable nitrogen isotopes in Fucus gardneri to evaluate landscape-level and small-scale anthropogenic inputs to Puget Sound
Presentation Abstract
Nitrogen is a limiting nutrient in marine waters and anthropogenic additions of nitrogen may lead to eutrophication and hypoxia. This can lead to die-offs of marine flora and fauna. Perpetual enrichment can lead to changes in the dominant species of lower trophic levels. Anthropogenic sources of nitrogen include farm wastes, inorganic fertilizers, and human sewage. These sources of nitrogen have different isotopic signatures (δ15N), which can be used as a tracer of anthropogenic inputs of nitrogen to the ecosystem. This study evaluated stable nitrogen isotopic compositions of marine algae on a large-scale in Hood Canal and on a small-scale in Oak Bay, both in Puget Sound. On a large-scale this study used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to link overall watershed development metrics with isotopic composition of algae in the nearshore. On a small-scale the study evaluated the effectiveness of marine riparian vegetation to remove nitrogen from on-site septic systems. Data was being processed at the time of abstract submission, but it is hypothesized that increased development will be reflected in an enriched δ15N and marine riparian vegetation will sequester nitrogen and be reflected in a depleted δ15N.
Session Title
Session S-10D: Cross-Habitat Linkages and Landscape Scale Approaches to Ecosystem Management
Conference Track
Species and Food Webs
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2014 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
1-5-2014 5:00 PM
End Date
1-5-2014 6:30 PM
Location
Room 6C
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Fucus gardneri--Nitrogen content--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Marine pollution--Control--Washington (State)--Puget Sound
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Puget Sound (Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
The use of stable nitrogen isotopes in Fucus gardneri to evaluate landscape-level and small-scale anthropogenic inputs to Puget Sound
Room 6C
Nitrogen is a limiting nutrient in marine waters and anthropogenic additions of nitrogen may lead to eutrophication and hypoxia. This can lead to die-offs of marine flora and fauna. Perpetual enrichment can lead to changes in the dominant species of lower trophic levels. Anthropogenic sources of nitrogen include farm wastes, inorganic fertilizers, and human sewage. These sources of nitrogen have different isotopic signatures (δ15N), which can be used as a tracer of anthropogenic inputs of nitrogen to the ecosystem. This study evaluated stable nitrogen isotopic compositions of marine algae on a large-scale in Hood Canal and on a small-scale in Oak Bay, both in Puget Sound. On a large-scale this study used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to link overall watershed development metrics with isotopic composition of algae in the nearshore. On a small-scale the study evaluated the effectiveness of marine riparian vegetation to remove nitrogen from on-site septic systems. Data was being processed at the time of abstract submission, but it is hypothesized that increased development will be reflected in an enriched δ15N and marine riparian vegetation will sequester nitrogen and be reflected in a depleted δ15N.
