TY - JOUR
T1 - Spatial and temporal variation of the δ15N in Thalassia testudinum in the Mexican Caribbean (2009-2017)
AU - Sánchez, Alberto
AU - Anguas-Cabrera, Dilian
AU - Camacho-Cruz, Karla
AU - Ortiz-Hernández, M. Concepción
AU - Aguíñiga-García, Sergio
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 CSIRO.
PY - 2020/7
Y1 - 2020/7
N2 - Wastewater pollution in seagrass has been documented for decades. In areas where baseline data are lacking, such as the Mexican Caribbean, the δ15N of seagrass can provide information on status and trends. The aims of this study were to determine the spatial and temporal variation in δ15N values of T. testudinum from 2009 to 2017, to explore the nature and causes of isotopic variability, which must be fully understood, and to examine how isotopic variability is linked to wastewater on the coast. Samples of T. testudinum were collected during 2011-2017 in Cancún and from 2009 to 2017 in Mahahual, and analysed on a mass spectrometer. The δ15N values in Cancún (9.0 ± 1.3 ‰) were significantly (P < 0.005) higher than those in Mahahual (1.9 ± 0.9 ‰). Our results reflect the continuous supply of wastewater as a source of 15N in Cancún and the atmospheric deposition of dissolved inorganic nitrogen from uncontaminated groundwater in Mahahual. Mahahual is an ideal site to continue environmental monitoring of the healthy seagrass in the southern Mexican Caribbean. Meanwhile, measures on the treatment and final disposal of wastewater in Cancun must be addressed with a great priority.
AB - Wastewater pollution in seagrass has been documented for decades. In areas where baseline data are lacking, such as the Mexican Caribbean, the δ15N of seagrass can provide information on status and trends. The aims of this study were to determine the spatial and temporal variation in δ15N values of T. testudinum from 2009 to 2017, to explore the nature and causes of isotopic variability, which must be fully understood, and to examine how isotopic variability is linked to wastewater on the coast. Samples of T. testudinum were collected during 2011-2017 in Cancún and from 2009 to 2017 in Mahahual, and analysed on a mass spectrometer. The δ15N values in Cancún (9.0 ± 1.3 ‰) were significantly (P < 0.005) higher than those in Mahahual (1.9 ± 0.9 ‰). Our results reflect the continuous supply of wastewater as a source of 15N in Cancún and the atmospheric deposition of dissolved inorganic nitrogen from uncontaminated groundwater in Mahahual. Mahahual is an ideal site to continue environmental monitoring of the healthy seagrass in the southern Mexican Caribbean. Meanwhile, measures on the treatment and final disposal of wastewater in Cancun must be addressed with a great priority.
KW - Caribbean Sea
KW - karstic spring
KW - nitrogen isotopes
KW - water quality
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85082083273&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1071/MF19105
DO - 10.1071/MF19105
M3 - Artículo
AN - SCOPUS:85082083273
SN - 1323-1650
VL - 71
SP - 905
EP - 912
JO - Marine and Freshwater Research
JF - Marine and Freshwater Research
IS - 8
ER -