Evaluating Freshwater Mussel Shell δ13C Values as a Proxy for Dissolved Inorganic Carbon δ13C Values in a Temperate River

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  • Graniero, L.E.
    • Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Geological Sciences
  • Gillikin, D.P.
    • Other Affiliation: Union College
  • Surge, D.
    • Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Geological Sciences
Abstract
  • The stable isotope ratio of dissolved inorganic carbon (δ13CDIC) in rivers reflects the dominant vegetation type in the surrounding watershed, rates of chemical weathering, atmospheric CO2 fluxes, and the relative rates of photosynthesis and respiration. Reconstructing past δ13CDIC values may reveal changes in these characteristics before watersheds experience land-use change and/or climate change. This study uses freshwater mussels, Elliptio complanata, and coeval environmental data to assess how high-resolution changes in the oxygen and carbon isotope ratios of shell carbonate (δ18Oshell and δ13Cshell, respectively) can be used as proxies of paleotemperature and paleo-DIC in rivers. To test our hypotheses, we analyzed time-series δ18Oshell and δ13Cshell values, δ13C values in bivalve tissues, and environmental data collected fortnightly from the Neuse River, North Carolina. Shell microsamples milled every 150 μm along the maximum growth axis represent an average of 12 ± 5 days (n = 524; excluding periods of growth cessation of >30 days), which is similar to the environmental data resolution (∼14 days). Serially sampled δ18Oshell and δ13Cshell values did not capture the full range of environmental conditions due to growth cessation during winter shutdown and extreme weather events. Low water temperature and elevated turbidity appear to be significant drivers of growth cessation. Spatial and temporal differences in the amount of metabolic carbon incorporated in the shell (∼0%–44%) likely occur due to variable mussel metabolic rates within and among study sites. Though high-resolution δ13Cshell values did not reflect variations in δ13CDIC values, average δ13Cshell values were indicative of average δ13CDIC values in the Neuse River.
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  • Article
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  • In Copyright
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  • Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences
Journal volume
  • 126
Journal issue
  • 6
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  • English
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  • Postprint
ISSN
  • 2169-8953

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