Abstract:

As part of a larger multi-component study examining the tolerance of corals to natural seepage, we are examining the relationship between coral occurrence and C isotope signatures of sediment, as an indicator hydrocarbon exposure. Our goal is to test the hypothesis that stable and radiocarbon isotopes in sediments can be used as a proxy for time-integrated hydrocarbon exposure to corals at seep sites and that different coral types will have different degrees of tolerance. We tested this hypothesis by analyzing the C isotopic signatures of sediment collected in 2014 and 2015 in the vicinity of various coral colonies such as Callogorgia, Paramuricea, and Lophelia, among others and near bacterial mats.

Suggested Citation:

Chanton, Jeffrey. 2017. C isotopic signatures of sediment collected in 2014 and 2015 in the vicinity of various coral colonies such as Callogorgia, Paramuricea, and Lophelia. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N76H4FC8

Purpose:

To evaluate coral exposure to seepage from the sedimentary record.

Data Parameters and Units:

Sample name, Date (MM/DD/YYYY), Depth (m), Latitude (lat, decimal degrees), Longitude (decimal degrees), Core depth (cm), d13CPDB (delta 13 of carbon vs Pee Dee Belemnite); C% (percentage of carbon); d15NPDB (delta 15 of nitrogen vs Air); N% (percent of nitrogen); C:N (carbon to nitrogen ratio); UGAMS# (University of Georgia Marine Sciences Number); ∆14C (Delta 14 of carbon). Blank cells indicate analysis not performed.

Instruments:

Carlo Erba elemental analyzer Thermofinnigan Isotope ratio mass spectrometer

Individual Files: