AB 12:1-11 (2011)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/ab00318

ABSTRACT: Groundwater can be an important source of nutrients and energy to aquatic ecosystems, but quantifying the inputs and biogeochemical importance remains challenging. A series of submerged groundwater vents in northern Lake Huron were examined to determine the linkage between groundwater nutrients and aquatic food webs. We collected samples of key food-web components from groundwater vent and reference habitats and analyzed them for ¹³C, ¹⁵N, and ³⁴S isotopes. Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in the groundwater was depleted in ¹³C, while aqueous sulfate was enriched in ³⁴S (mean differences between groundwater and reference sites were –3.9‰ and +12.0‰, respectively). Benthic primary producers, macroinvertebrates, and benthivorous fish had significantly lower δ¹³C values in groundwater environments, and benthivorous fish were somewhat depleted (–2.5‰) in δ³⁴S at groundwater sites compared to reference sites. However, δ¹⁵N values were not different between groundwater and reference sites, and pelagic components of the ecosystems (plankton and planktivorous and piscivorous fish) were similar in both δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N. These data suggest benthic metazoan communities surrounding groundwater vents are partially linked to groundwater-derived benthic primary production, while planktivorous and piscivorous communities not directly associated with the benthos do not rely on groundwater nutrients.

KEY WORDS: Stable isotopes · Submerged sinkholes · Groundwater · Food web · Lake Huron

Full text in pdf format Information about this Feature Article

Cite this article as: Sanders TG Jr, Biddanda BA, Stricker CA, Nold SC (2011) Benthic macroinvertebrate and fish communities in Lake Huron are linked to submerged groundwater vents. Aquat Biol 12:1-11. https://doi.org/10.3354/ab00318 Export citation Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn