Seasonal changes in the importance of the source of organic matter to the diet of zooplankton in Loch Ness, as indicated by stable isotope analysis

摘要

Seasonal variations in the stable isotope composition (δ~13C and δ~15N) of crustacean zooplankton and their putative food sources in oligotrophic Loch Ness were recorded during 1998. Bulk particulate organic matter (POM) showed δ~13C values consistent with a terrestrial plant origin from the catchment and exhibited little seasonal variation, whereas POM δ~15N was more variable, probably due to associated microbial action.