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A case against acidifying freshwater macrophytes prior to C and N stable isotope analysis

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Abstract

Acidifying organic samples prior to stable isotope analysis is a common practice to eliminate inorganic carbonates; however, it is still unclear what impact this has on δ 13C and δ 15N values. Here we present the first extensive study to test the effects of acidification on freshwater macrophyte carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios. Focusing on the more productive and ecologically relevant seasons, we collected eleven common macrophyte species (both submerged and emergent), from four lakes in south-central Ontario, Canada. These lakes vary considerably in chemistry, particularly in the inorganic carbon and calcium concentrations. All individual plant samples were equally separated, prepared into acidified and un-acidified treatments, and analyzed for their carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios. No significant differences in macrophyte δ 13C or δ 15N were detected between the treatments. Additionally, we found that within-species δ 13C variability was greater in acidified samples. Finally, in assessing the isotopic values of different macrophytes across a chemical gradient at different times throughout the season, it became evident that natural variability exists in both the δ 13C and δ 15N of un-acidified samples within and between species. Based on these results, we assert that pre-analysis acidification of freshwater macrophytes from temperate lakes is unnecessary and not recommended. Additionally, we implore ecologists to acknowledge the macrophyte δ 13C and δ 15N variability in future food web studies.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Jean-Francois Koprivnjak (Trent University Water Quality Centre) for stable isotope analysis and valuable comments on our manuscript; additional thanks to Dave Woods for field assistance. This project was funded by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada—Consell de researches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada (NSERC-CRSNG) Discovery Grant awarded to P. J. Dillon.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, The University of Waterloo, ESC 350, 200 University Ave E, Waterloo, ON, N2L3G1, Canada

    Samantha M. Burke

  2. Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J 7B8, Canada

    Anurani D. Persaud & Peter J. Dillon

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  1. Samantha M. Burke
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  2. Anurani D. Persaud
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  3. Peter J. Dillon
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Correspondence to Samantha M. Burke.

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Handling Editor: Piet Spaak.

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Burke, S.M., Persaud, A.D. & Dillon, P.J. A case against acidifying freshwater macrophytes prior to C and N stable isotope analysis. Aquat Ecol 49, 251–261 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-015-9519-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-015-9519-2

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