Food web structure in the high Arctic Canada Basin: evidence from δ13C and δ15N analysis

摘要: The food-web structure of the Arctic deep Canada Basin was investigated in summer 2002 using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope tracers. Overall length range organisms sampled occupied four trophic levels, based on 3.8‰ level enrichment (δ15N range: 5.3–17.7‰). It was, thus, 0.5–1 levels longer than food webs both shelf temperate deep-sea systems. sources, pelagic particulate organic matter (POM) (δ13C=−25.8‰, δ15N=5.3‰) ice POM (δ13C=−26.9‰, δ15N=4.1‰), were not significantly different. Organisms all habitats, ice-associated, benthic, covered a large δ15N values. In general, ice-associated crustaceans 4.6–12.4‰, mean 6.9‰) species 5.9–16.5, 11.5‰) depleted relative to benthic invertebrates 4.6–17.7‰, 13.2‰). predominantly herbivorous predatory sympagic constitute shorter chain that is fresh material produced water column. Many deposit feeders, relying largely refractory material. However, sufficient phytodetritus appeared arrive at seafloor support some suspension surface feeders low (e.g., crinoids, cumaceans). enriched signatures predators may be consequence primary production high subsequent degree reworking