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| Authors | Connolly, RM; Schlacher, TA |
| Author Full Name | Connolly, Rod M.; Schlacher, Thomas A. |
| Title | Sample acidification significantly alters stable isotope ratios of sulfur in aquatic plants and animals |
| Source | MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES |
| Language | English |
| Document Type | Article |
| Author Keywords | Acid digestion; Amino acids; Carbonate; DMSP; Seagrass; Stable isotope analysis |
| Keywords Plus | FOOD-WEB ANALYSIS; ORGANIC-MATTER; RELATIVE IMPORTANCE; SALT-MARSH; ZOSTERA-CAPRICORNI; BENTHIC MICROALGAE; TROPHIC IMPORTANCE; NITROGEN ISOTOPES; EPIPHYTIC ALGAE; MARINE SEDIMENT |
| Abstract | Sulfur stable isotopes are increasingly being used as tracers of material processing in studies of both modern and historical food webs. Preparation of plant and animal material for isotope analysis routinely includes steps that remove inorganic material not normally assimilated by consumers. Whereas acidification of samples is known to assist with this for some elements (carbon), it can produce unwanted effects for others (nitrogen). Here we tested the effects of acidification on sulfur isotopes by comparing isotope ratios of paired acidified and non-acidified samples of seagrass, epiphytic algae growing on seagrass and animal consumers (3 types of crustaceans: amphipods, copepods and isopods). Acid treatment resulted in significant losses of elemental sulfur from the tissues and changes in sulfur isotope ratios of samples. The artificial depletion of the heavy sulfur isotope decreased sulfur isotope ratios by 2.6% on average, and by as much as 7.0% in individual samples. Acidification of samples prior to sulfur isotope analysis results in invalid ratios and should not be used. |
| Author Address | [Connolly, Rod M.] Griffith Univ, Australian Rivers Inst Coast & Estuaries, Nathan, Qld 4222, Australia; [Connolly, Rod M.] Griffith Univ, Sch Environm, Nathan, Qld 4222, Australia; [Schlacher, Thomas A.] Univ Sunshine Coast, Fac Sci, Maroochydore, Qld 4558, Australia |
| Reprint Address | Connolly, RM (corresponding author), Griffith Univ, Australian Rivers Inst Coast & Estuaries, Gold Coast Campus, Nathan, Qld 4222, Australia. |
| E-mail Address | r.connolly@griffith.edu.au |
| ResearcherID Number | Connolly, Rod M/C-4094-2008; Schlacher, Thomas/J-4614-2016 |
| ORCID Number | Connolly, Rod M/0000-0001-6223-1291; Schlacher, Thomas/0000-0003-2184-9217 |
| Funding Agency and Grant Number | Australian Research CouncilAustralian Research Council; Fisheries Research and Development Corporation |
| Funding Text | We thank E. Carr, R. Duffy, D. Gorman and J. Hindell for field and laboratory assistance, and the Coopers family for support in South Australia. The work was funded by the Australian Research Council and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. |
| Times Cited | 15 |
| Total Times Cited Count (WoS, BCI, and CSCD) | 17 |
| Publisher | INTER-RESEARCH |
| Publisher City | OLDENDORF LUHE |
| Publisher Address | NORDBUNTE 23, D-21385 OLDENDORF LUHE, GERMANY |
| ISSN | 0171-8630 |
| 29-Character Source Abbreviation | MAR ECOL PROG SER |
| ISO Source Abbreviation | Mar. Ecol.-Prog. Ser. |
| Year Published | 2013 |
| Volume | 493 |
| Beginning Page | 1 |
| Ending Page | 8 |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | 10.3354/meps10560 |
| Page Count | 8 |
| Web of Science Category | Ecology; Marine & Freshwater Biology; Oceanography |
| Subject Category | Environmental Sciences & Ecology; Marine & Freshwater Biology; Oceanography |
| Document Delivery Number | 254VX |
| Unique Article Identifier | WOS:000327197700001 |
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