Nitrogen isotopic characterisation of macroalgae blooms from different sites within a subtropical bay in the Gulf of California

Abstract

In La Paz Bay conspicuous macroalgal blooms of Ulva spp. are recurrent in the waterfront of the city; studies relate its growth to seasonality and nutrient enrichment but their relative influence is not known. We use the δ¹⁵N to discern amongst nitrogen sources at three sites with different substratum and anthropogenic activities. Ulva blooms were monitored monthly at San Juan de la Costa (SJC), Casa del Marino (CM) and El Tecolote (TE). Species presence varied between sites and months. At SJC Ulva displayed the highest signal of δ¹⁵N associated with fishing products and local mining wastewaters (19.5‰). CM showed isotopic values related to sewage waters (13‰). The δ¹⁵N of species at TE were the lowest. We found higher isotopic signatures than in other tropical/subtropical regions, associated with nutrient rich water masses. Ulva species can be used to trace and discern amongst different sources of nitrogen from natural or anthropogenic sources.

Keywords: Isotopes; Nutrient rich water masses; Nutrients; Sewage; Ulva.