Sulfur isotopic variations in soft tissues of five benthic animals from the reductive, tidal-flat sediments in northern Kyushu, Japan

摘要: The sulfur nutrition of five benthic animals living in or on reductive, tidal-flat sediments has been studied by using the isotopic signatures their soft tissues. mean δ34S values (+6.1‰ to +13.8‰, relative Canyon Diablo troilite reference) these animals' tissues are lower than those many common marine animals, which have close seawater sulfate-sulfur (+21‰). This indicates that use a 34S-depleted source, may be derived from bacterial sulfide (less –20‰). inhabit such adapted an anoxic environment, where toxic hydrogen prevails. Due sulfide-rich habitat, expected assimilate directly during detoxification, prefer diet low signature. Variations sampled molluscs were fairly small, whereas migratory shrimp and fish tended larger variations, implying feed diverse prey, while food, assimilative capacity for sulfide-sulfur does not vary among individuals. A gastropod inhabiting surface reductive sediment showed distinctively value (+5.8‰ +6.4‰), indicating animal fed detritus reeds halophytes with (–19.1‰ –2.1‰). study suggests some incorporate isotope composition can useful indicator analysis food habitat animals.