Nitrogen isotope variability of macroalgae from a small fishing village, Staithes Harbour, Yorkshire, UK.

Alldred, Freya C; Gröcke, Darren R; Jackson, Samuel E

Abstract

Macroalgal nitrogen isotope analysis (δ N) is a reliable method for the identification of nitrogen pollutant sources. Understanding δ N geospatial variation within small bays and/or harbour environments can help identify point sources of nitrogen pollution. This study sampled over 300 Fucus vesiculosus and Ulva sp. specimens in September 2022 and May 2023 from Staithes Harbour, North Yorkshire, England. δ N values for Staithes Beck were elevated when compared to sites in Staithes Harbour and the North Sea: this is attributed to sewage effluent and/or agricultural manure. Few sites within Staithes Harbour were significantly different from one another in terms of δ N, suggesting a relatively homogenous nitrogen isotope record of the harbour. Simple harbour environments like Staithes may be relatively well mixed, and thus, sampling one harbour site may be enough to represent the entire harbour. Of course, more complex harbours may require more sample locations to ascertain point sources and mixing in the harbour.

Citation

Alldred, F. C., Gröcke, D. R., & Jackson, S. E. (2024). Nitrogen isotope variability of macroalgae from a small fishing village, Staithes Harbour, Yorkshire, UK. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 207, Article 116828. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116828

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 5, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Sep 5, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-10
• Deposit Date: Oct 4, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 4, 2024
• Journal: Marine pollution bulletin
• Print ISSN: 0025-326X
• Electronic ISSN: 1879-3363
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 207
• Article Number: 116828
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116828
• Keywords: Fisheries, Nitrogen Isotopes - analysis, Seaweed - chemistry, Nitrogen isotopes, Ulva, Pollution, Harbours, Environmental Monitoring, Fucus, Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis, Macroalgae, North Sea, England, Mixing
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2873120