Anthropogenic nitrogen pollution inferred by stable isotope records of crustose coralline algae

Abstract

Since reef ecosystems can offer intricate habitats for various marine organisms, calcified reefs may contain valuable long-term environmental data. This study investigated stable isotopic composition of marine organisms from the Taoyuan and Linshanbi crustose coralline algae (CCA) reef ecosystems to understand sewage pollution. CCA samples from Taoyuan (Palaeo Xin A: -1000 years old and Palaeo G: -7000 years old) and Linshanbi (Palaeo L: -7000 years old and modern CCA) had significantly lower 615N values (2.5-5.6 %o) compared to modern CCA from Taoyuan (10.2 +/- 1.2 %o). Intertidal organisms from the Taoyuan CCA reef also showed higher 615N values than those from Linshanbi CCA reef, indicating anthropogenic stress in both ecosystems. Long-term pollution monitoring and effective strategies to mitigate sewage pollution are recommended for these CCA reef ecosystems.