@article{fdi:010055677,
  title = {{S}table isotope variations in benthic filter feeders across a large depth gradient on the continental shelf},
  author = {{N}erot, {C}. and {L}orrain, {A}nne and {G}rall, {J}. and {G}illikin, {D}. {P}. and {M}unaron, {J}. {M}. and {L}e {B}ris, {H}. and {P}aulet, {Y}. {M}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{S}patial variations in carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes (delta {C}-13 and delta {N}-15) of benthic filter feeders were investigated on an inshore-offshore gradient (0-250 km) along the continental shelf of the northern {B}ay of {B}iscay ({NE} {A}tlantic {O}cean). delta {C}-13 and delta {N}-15 values were measured in muscle tissues of four filter-feeding mollusc species (epifaunal: {P}ecten maxim us, {A}equipecten opercularis; infaunal: {G}lycymeris glycymeris, {V}enus casina) and in benthic particulate organic matter along a corresponding water-depth gradient from 6 to 220 m. {A}ll four species showed a decreasing pattern of muscle delta {C}-13 and delta {N}-15 values with increasing depth. {A}t the {U}shant front (similar to 130 m water depth), where there is a decrease in both bottom water chlorophyll a and suspended particulate matter, muscle delta {C}-13 and delta {N}-15 values decreased in all species. {A}lthough delta {C}-13 values of infaunal clams initially decreased at 30 m depth, delta {C}-13 values of epifaunal scallops decreased around 120 m depth, far below the expected depth reduction in microphytobenthic production suggesting that carbon isotopes might not simply track microphytobenthic utilization. {T}he difference between infaunal and epifaunal bivalve stable isotope values may reflect differences in feeding strategies. {M}uscle delta {N}-15 values at the deepest stations (similar to 2 parts per thousand) were lower than expected considering the typical trophic enrichment value of 3-4 parts per thousand between prey and consumers. {T}hese low delta {N}-15 values may result from low metabolic rates and suggest the classic trophic enrichment may not hold true in species inhabiting deep waters. {S}table isotopes in benthic filter feeders can reveal much information regarding their ecology and environment, but are not straightforward recorders of stable isotope baseline variations as is often assumed.},
  keywords = {bivalve molluscs ; scallops ; trophic ecology ; microphytobenthos ; {B}ay of {B}iscay},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{E}stuarine {C}oastal and {S}helf {S}cience},
  volume = {96},
  numero = {},
  pages = {228--235},
  ISSN = {0272-7714},
  year = {2012},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.ecss.2011.11.004},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010055677},
}