Carbon Isotopes (δ13C and Δ14C) in Shell Carbonate, Conchiolin, and Soft Tissues in Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea Virginica)

Radiocarbon ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 1125-1137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla S Hadden ◽  
Kathy M Loftis ◽  
Alexander Cherkinsky
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Carbon Isotopes ◽  
Crassostrea Virginica ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon ◽  
Eastern Oyster ◽  
Oyster Tissue ◽  
Shell Matrix ◽  
Eastern Oysters

AbstractBiogeochemical analyses of eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) are frequently included in environmental monitoring and paleoecological studies because their shells and soft tissues record environmental and dietary signals. Carbon isotopes in the mineral phase of the shell are derived from ambient bicarbonate and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), while organic carbon present in soft tissue is of dietary origin. Mineral-bound organic matter within the carbonate shell matrix (“conchiolin”) is studied less frequently. The purpose of this study was to compare carbon isotope composition (δ13C and Δ14C) of conchiolin to those of shell carbonates and soft tissues in eastern oysters and assess the extent to which conchiolin can provide insight into paleoecological records. Eleven oyster specimens were live-collected from Apalachicola Bay, USA, as well as a set of environmental samples (water, sediment, and terrestrial plants). Overall, the δ13C values in all studied oyster tissue types record environmental signals related to carbon sources, with conchiolin being enriched in 13C by an average of 2.3‰ relative to bulk soft tissues. Δ14C values in oyster shell carbonates generally reflect the marine versus riverine source of DIC, while conchiolin Δ14C values are impacted by variable relative contributions of young and old organic matter. Environmental samples indicate a significantly large difference in Δ14C among sources, from –127‰ in particulate organic matter to approximately +15‰ in DIC. Conchiolin is significantly depleted in 14C relative to other tissue types, by as much as 56.6‰, posing a major obstacle to the use of conchiolin as an alternative material for radiocarbon dating.

scholarly journals Oyster condition index in Crassostrea rhizophorae (Guilding, 1828) from a heavy-metal polluted coastal lagoon

2005 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. F. Rebelo ◽  
M. C. R. Amaral ◽  
W. C. Pfeiffer
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Oyster Shell ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Oyster Tissue ◽  
Rapid Reduction ◽  
Cd Contamination ◽  
Metal Body ◽  
A New Technique

The condition index (CI) of oysters represents an ecophysiological approach to estimate meat quality and yield in cultured bivalve mollusks. In the present study, the CI of oysters from a heavy-metal polluted bay was analyzed with respect to Zn and Cd contamination in soft tissues, spawning, and polychaete infestation. The CI was calculated through a new technique based on molds made to measure the volume of oyster-shell internal cavities. The higher CI values (over 9 in the dry season) were probably related availability of suspended particles rich in organic matter in the bay, while the rapid reduction in the CI from one season to the next at some stations suggests the effect of spawning. Polychaete infestation was considered low (18.7%) and produced no clear CI effects. The Cd in the oyster tissue collected during the rainy season was weak, although still significantly correlated with the CI (r = -0.36; p < 0.05). All other comparisons of CI and metal concentrations demonstrated a non-significant correlation. The CI variations observed on the temporal and spatial scale were likely to have been caused by availability of organic matter and spawning, rather than spionid infestation or metal body burdens.

Population Structure of Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) Inhabiting the Laguna Madre, Texas, and Adjacent Bay Systems

1994 ◽  
Vol 51 (S1) ◽  
pp. 215-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim L. King ◽  
Rocky Ward ◽  
Earl G. Zimmerman
Keyword(s):  
Crassostrea Virginica ◽  
Atlantic Coast ◽  
Eastern Oyster ◽  
Laguna Madre ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
Polymorphic Loci ◽  
Corpus Christi ◽  
The North ◽  
Eastern Oysters ◽  
Fixation Indices

A survey of 16 enzyme systems and two structural proteins, among nine eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) populations in and adjacent to Laguna Madre, Texas, identified two genetically differentiated groups and the transition zone between them. The discontinuity in allele frequencies occurred between a reef in Corpus Christi Bay and reefs 26 km away in upper Laguna Madre. Although no fixed allelic differences were observed between populations from either side of the transition area, substantial frequency differences were observed at six gene loci, and both groups exhibited unique alleles. Spatial heterogeneity tests also suggested sizable allele frequency differences, as 8 of 15 polymorphic loci surveyed exhibited heterogeneity. Considerable genetic subdivision was observed, as 14 of 15 polymorphic loci surveyed exhibited significant fixation indices. The mean genetic similarity was 0.898 (range 0.813–0.977). Consequently, oysters inhabiting the Laguna Madre are genetically divergent from oysters inhabiting central and eastern Texas, the north-central and eastern Gulf of Mexico, and the western Atlantic coast. Thus, these groups should be considered as discrete management units, and the patterns of genetic exchange investigated. If eastern oysters inhabiting the Laguna Madre, Texas, are unique, they warrant protection.

scholarly journals Carbon isotopes of dissolved inorganic carbon reflect utilization of different carbon sources by microbial communities in two limestone aquifer assemblages

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin E. Nowak ◽  
Valérie F. Schwab ◽  
Cassandre S. Lazar ◽  
Thomas Behrendt ◽  
Bernd Kohlhepp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Carbon Isotopes ◽  
Inorganic Carbon ◽  
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon ◽  
Carbon Sources ◽  
Oxygen Depletion ◽  
C Isotopes ◽  
Abiotic Controls ◽  
Upper Aquifer

Abstract. Isotopes of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) are used to indicate both transit times and biogeochemical evolution of groundwaters. These signals can be complicated in carbonate aquifers, as both abiotic (i.e. carbonate equilibria) and biotic factors influence δ13C and 14C of DIC. We applied a novel graphical method for tracking changes in δ13C and 14C of DIC in two distinct aquifer complexes identified in the Hainich Critical Zone Exploratory (CZE), a platform to study how water transport links surface and shallow groundwaters in limestone and marlstone rocks in central Germany. For more quantitative estimates of contributions of different biotic and abiotic carbon sources to the DIC pool, we used the geochemical modelling program NETPATH, which accounts for changes in dissolved ions in addition to C isotopes. Although water residence times in the Hainich CZE aquifers based on hydrogeology are relatively short (years or less), DIC isotopes in the shallow, mostly anoxic, aquifer assemblage (HTU) were depleted in 14C compared to a deeper, oxic, aquifer complex (HTL). Carbon isotopes and chemical changes in the deeper HTL wells could be explained by interaction of recharge waters equilibrated with post-bomb 14C sources with carbonates. However, oxygen depletion and δ13C and 14C values of DIC below those expected from the processes of carbonate equilibrium alone indicate dramatically different biogeochemical evolution of waters in the upper aquifer assemblage (HTU wells). Changes of 14C and 13C in the upper aquifer complexes result from a number of biotic and abiotic processes, including oxidation of 14C depleted OM derived from recycled microbial carbon and sedimentary organic matter as well as water rock interactions. The microbial pathways inferred from DIC isotope shifts and changes in water chemistry in the HTU wells were supported by comparison with in situ microbial community structure based on 16S rRNA analyses. Our findings demonstrate the large variation in the importance of biotic as well as abiotic controls on 13C and 14C of DIC in closely related aquifer assemblages. Further, they support the importance of subsurface derived carbon sources like DIC for chemolithoautotrophic microorganisms as well as rock-derived organic matter for supporting heterotrophic groundwater microbial communities and indicate that even shallow aquifers have microbial communities that use a variety of subsurface derived carbon sources.

scholarly journals Carbon isotopes of dissolved inorganic carbon reflect utilization of different carbon sources by microbial communities in two limestone aquifer assemblages

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 4283-4300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin E. Nowak ◽  
Valérie F. Schwab ◽  
Cassandre S. Lazar ◽  
Thomas Behrendt ◽  
Bernd Kohlhepp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Carbon Isotopes ◽  
Inorganic Carbon ◽  
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon ◽  
Geochemical Modeling ◽  
Carbon Sources ◽  
Oxygen Depletion ◽  
C Isotopes ◽  
Upper Aquifer

Abstract. Isotopes of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) are used to indicate both transit times and biogeochemical evolution of groundwaters. These signals can be complicated in carbonate aquifers, as both abiotic (i.e., carbonate equilibria) and biotic factors influence the δ13C and 14C of DIC. We applied a novel graphical method for tracking changes in the δ13C and 14C of DIC in two distinct aquifer complexes identified in the Hainich Critical Zone Exploratory (CZE), a platform to study how water transport links surface and shallow groundwaters in limestone and marlstone rocks in central Germany. For more quantitative estimates of contributions of different biotic and abiotic carbon sources to the DIC pool, we used the NETPATH geochemical modeling program, which accounts for changes in dissolved ions in addition to C isotopes. Although water residence times in the Hainich CZE aquifers based on hydrogeology are relatively short (years or less), DIC isotopes in the shallow, mostly anoxic, aquifer assemblage (HTU) were depleted in 14C compared to a deeper, oxic, aquifer complex (HTL). Carbon isotopes and chemical changes in the deeper HTL wells could be explained by interaction of recharge waters equilibrated with post-bomb 14C sources with carbonates. However, oxygen depletion and δ13C and 14C values of DIC below those expected from the processes of carbonate equilibrium alone indicate considerably different biogeochemical evolution of waters in the upper aquifer assemblage (HTU wells). Changes in 14C and 13C in the upper aquifer complexes result from a number of biotic and abiotic processes, including oxidation of 14C-depleted OM derived from recycled microbial carbon and sedimentary organic matter as well as water–rock interactions. The microbial pathways inferred from DIC isotope shifts and changes in water chemistry in the HTU wells were supported by comparison with in situ microbial community structure based on 16S rRNA analyses. Our findings demonstrate the large variation in the importance of biotic as well as abiotic controls on 13C and 14C of DIC in closely related aquifer assemblages. Further, they support the importance of subsurface-derived carbon sources like DIC for chemolithoautotrophic microorganisms as well as rock-derived organic matter for supporting heterotrophic groundwater microbial communities and indicate that even shallow aquifers have microbial communities that use a variety of subsurface-derived carbon sources.

scholarly journals Maximizing Recovery and Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts from Spiked Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) Tissue Samples

2007 ◽  
Vol 73 (21) ◽  
pp. 6910-6915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Autumn S. Downey ◽  
Thaddeus K. Graczyk
Keyword(s):  
Crassostrea Virginica ◽  
Cryptosporidium Parvum ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Eastern Oyster ◽  
Tissue Homogenate ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Oyster Tissue ◽  
Recovery Efficiency ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Contamination Levels

ABSTRACT Numerous studies have documented the presence of Cryptosporidium parvum, an anthropozoonotic enteric parasite, in molluscan shellfish harvested for commercial purposes. Getting accurate estimates of Cryptosporidium contamination levels in molluscan shellfish is difficult because recovery efficiencies are dependent on the isolation method used. Such estimates are important for determining the human health risks posed by consumption of contaminated shellfish. In the present study, oocyst recovery was compared for multiple methods used to isolate Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts from oysters (Crassostrea virginica) after exposure to contaminated water for 24 h. The immunomagnetic separation (IMS) and immunofluorescent antibody procedures from Environmental Protection Agency method 1623 were adapted for these purposes. Recovery efficiencies for the different methods were also determined using oyster tissue homogenate and hemolymph spiked with oocysts. There were significant differences in recovery efficiency among the different treatment groups (P < 0.05). We observed the highest recovery efficiency (i.e., 51%) from spiked samples when hemolymph was kept separate during the homogenization of the whole oyster meat but was then added to the pellet following diethyl ether extraction of the homogenate, prior to IMS. Using this processing method, as few as 10 oocysts could be detected in a spiked homogenate sample by nested PCR. In the absence of water quality indicators that correlate with Cryptosporidium contamination levels, assessment of shellfish safety may rely on accurate quantification of oocyst loads, necessitating the use of processing methods that maximize oocyst recovery. The results from this study have important implications for regulatory agencies charged with determining the safety of molluscan shellfish for human consumption.

Effects of resuspension of eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica biodeposits on phytoplankton community structure

2020 ◽  
Vol 640 ◽  
pp. 79-105
Author(s):  
ET Porter ◽  
E Robins ◽  
S Davis ◽  
R Lacouture ◽  
JC Cornwell
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Community Structure ◽  
Crassostrea Virginica ◽  
Skeletonema Costatum ◽  
Eastern Oyster ◽  
Energy Dissipation Rate ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Cell Densities ◽  
Sediment Bottom ◽  
Nitrite Nitrate

Anthropogenic disturbances in the Chesapeake Bay (USA) have depleted eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica abundance and altered the estuary’s environment and water quality. Efforts to rehabilitate oyster populations are underway; however, the effect of oyster biodeposits on water quality and plankton community structure are not clear. In July 2017, we used 6 shear turbulence resuspension mesocosms (STURMs) to determine differences in plankton composition with and without the daily addition of oyster biodeposits to a muddy sediment bottom. STURM systems had a volume-weighted root mean square turbulent velocity of 1.08 cm s-1, energy dissipation rate of ~0.08 cm2 s-3, and bottom shear stress of ~0.36-0.51 Pa during mixing-on periods during 4 wk of tidal resuspension. Phytoplankton increased their chlorophyll a content in their cells in response to low light in tanks with biodeposits. The diatom Skeletonema costatum bloomed and had significantly longer chains in tanks without biodeposits. These tanks also had significantly lower concentrations of total suspended solids, zooplankton carbon, and nitrite +nitrate, and higher phytoplankton carbon concentrations. Results suggest that the absence of biodeposit resuspension initiates nitrogen uptake for diatom reproduction, increasing the cell densities of S. costatum. The low abundance of the zooplankton population in non-biodeposit tanks suggests an inability of zooplankton to graze on S. costatum and negative effects of S. costatum on zooplankton. A high abundance of the copepod Acartia tonsa in biodeposit tanks may have reduced S. costatum chain length. Oyster biodeposit addition and resuspension efficiently transferred phytoplankton carbon to zooplankton carbon, thus supporting the food web in the estuary.

scholarly journals Oyster hatchery breakthrough of two HABs and potential effects on larval eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica)

Harmful Algae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 101 ◽  
pp. 101965
Author(s):  
Sarah K.D. Pease ◽  
Kimberly S. Reece ◽  
Jeffrey O'Brien ◽  
Patrice L.M. Hobbs ◽  
Juliette L. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Crassostrea Virginica ◽  
Eastern Oysters
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