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Full-Text Articles in Marine Biology
Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Of South Florida Coastal Marine Ecosystems, Sarah Elise Strand
Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Of South Florida Coastal Marine Ecosystems, Sarah Elise Strand
FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Southeast Florida’s continual urban expansion will potentially increase anthropogenic pollution in adjacent coastal marine systems. Furthermore, increased nutrient loads could have detrimental effects on the already threatened Florida Reef Tract. The present study uses a stable isotopic approach to determine the sources and the impact of nutrients on the Florida Reef Tract. δ13C and δ15N analysis of macroalgae, sponges, and sediment were analyzed in order to determine nutrient inputs in this region. While δ13C data did not display any significant trends spatially, δ15N values of the majority of biota exhibited a strong …