Environmental implication of nitrogen isotopic composition in ornithogenic sediments from the Ross Sea region, East Antarctica: δ15N as a new proxy for avian influence

Yaguang Nie, Xiaodong Liu, Tao Wen, Liguang Sun, Steven D. Emslie

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

We analyzed δ15N in both acid-treated and untreated sediment profiles from McMurdo Sound of the Ross Sea region, East Antarctica that were influenced by penguin guano. The difference between treated and untreated δ15N (δ15N) was significant in three profiles which were heavily impacted by guano, and minor in two profiles with less guano influence. We determined that the total nitrogen in the sediments is primarily derived from penguin guano and algae, and used an N-species test to explain the variation of δ15N in two profiles. It was found that post-depositional decomposition and ammonia volatilization, which have important roles in the cold and arid environment of East Antarctica, would render an elevated δ15N through kinetic isotopic fractionation in the inorganic nitrogen from guano. N-species analysis revealed that the percentage of inorganic nitrogen in total nitrogen, indicative of the degree of guano influence, is the key factor controlling δ15N in the sediments. This hypothesis successfully explained the nitrogen isotopic composition in the remaining three sediment profiles. We conclude that the parameter δ15N, rather than traditionally used untreated δ15N, can be taken as an effective proxy for the strength of avian influence on ornithogenic sediments in East Antarctica.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)91-100
Number of pages10
JournalChemical Geology
Volume363
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 10 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Abandoned colony
  • Adélie penguin
  • East Antarctica
  • Ornithogenic sediments
  • δN

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geology
  • Geochemistry and Petrology

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