Origin, trophic transfer and recycling of particulate organic matter in two upwelling bays of Humboldt Current System: Insights from compound-specific isotopic compositions of amino acids.

The Chilean upwelling bays are highly productive ecosystems shaped by their interactions with the open ocean. Although significant knowledge exists regarding their hydrodynamic and ecological processes, the spatial dynamics of trophic transfer and heterotrophic resynthesis of organic matter remain i...

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Main Authors: Benjamín Srain, Edgart Flores, Jorge Valdés, Andrés Camaño
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0306674
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author Benjamín Srain
Edgart Flores
Jorge Valdés
Andrés Camaño
author_facet Benjamín Srain
Edgart Flores
Jorge Valdés
Andrés Camaño
author_sort Benjamín Srain
collection DOAJ
description The Chilean upwelling bays are highly productive ecosystems shaped by their interactions with the open ocean. Although significant knowledge exists regarding their hydrodynamic and ecological processes, the spatial dynamics of trophic transfer and heterotrophic resynthesis of organic matter remain insufficiently understood. To address these knowledge gaps, we conducted a compound-specific isotope analysis of amino acids (CSIAA) on suspended and sinking particulate organic matter from Mejillones and Antofagasta bays, two oceanographic environments characterized by contrasting hydrodynamic conditions and topographic orientations. In Mejillones Bay, the CSIAA trophic positions for metazoan (1.7 ± 0.5) and protozoan (2.3 ± 0.3) were significantly higher compared to those in Antofagasta Bay (metazoans: 1.3 ± 0.6; protozoans: 1.5 ± 0.3), highlighting protozoans as primary trophic vectors. MixSIAR analysis indicated that phytoplankton is a key source of particulate organic matter in both bays; however, Mejillones Bay exhibited a greater proportion of microbially degraded organic matter. Enhanced heterotrophic resynthesis in Mejillones Bay (ΣV: 1.9-2.5) was associated with lower oxygen levels, increased concentrations of NO₂ ⁻ , and heightened stratification of the water column. Additionally, depth-dependent variations in δ15N for phenylalanine and threonine indicated a greater solubilization of particles, which contributed to a reduction in the export of particulate organic matter (averaging 9 ± 2 mg C/m²/d). These findings underscore the critical role of the intricate interactions between the bay's topographic features and the physical and biological processes that ultimately influence the cycling trajectories of particulate organic matter in upwelling bays.
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spelling doaj-art-c640841150b04d2badb13bd8752f85452025-08-20T03:47:28ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01205e030667410.1371/journal.pone.0306674Origin, trophic transfer and recycling of particulate organic matter in two upwelling bays of Humboldt Current System: Insights from compound-specific isotopic compositions of amino acids.Benjamín SrainEdgart FloresJorge ValdésAndrés CamañoThe Chilean upwelling bays are highly productive ecosystems shaped by their interactions with the open ocean. Although significant knowledge exists regarding their hydrodynamic and ecological processes, the spatial dynamics of trophic transfer and heterotrophic resynthesis of organic matter remain insufficiently understood. To address these knowledge gaps, we conducted a compound-specific isotope analysis of amino acids (CSIAA) on suspended and sinking particulate organic matter from Mejillones and Antofagasta bays, two oceanographic environments characterized by contrasting hydrodynamic conditions and topographic orientations. In Mejillones Bay, the CSIAA trophic positions for metazoan (1.7 ± 0.5) and protozoan (2.3 ± 0.3) were significantly higher compared to those in Antofagasta Bay (metazoans: 1.3 ± 0.6; protozoans: 1.5 ± 0.3), highlighting protozoans as primary trophic vectors. MixSIAR analysis indicated that phytoplankton is a key source of particulate organic matter in both bays; however, Mejillones Bay exhibited a greater proportion of microbially degraded organic matter. Enhanced heterotrophic resynthesis in Mejillones Bay (ΣV: 1.9-2.5) was associated with lower oxygen levels, increased concentrations of NO₂ ⁻ , and heightened stratification of the water column. Additionally, depth-dependent variations in δ15N for phenylalanine and threonine indicated a greater solubilization of particles, which contributed to a reduction in the export of particulate organic matter (averaging 9 ± 2 mg C/m²/d). These findings underscore the critical role of the intricate interactions between the bay's topographic features and the physical and biological processes that ultimately influence the cycling trajectories of particulate organic matter in upwelling bays.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0306674
spellingShingle Benjamín Srain
Edgart Flores
Jorge Valdés
Andrés Camaño
Origin, trophic transfer and recycling of particulate organic matter in two upwelling bays of Humboldt Current System: Insights from compound-specific isotopic compositions of amino acids.
PLoS ONE
title Origin, trophic transfer and recycling of particulate organic matter in two upwelling bays of Humboldt Current System: Insights from compound-specific isotopic compositions of amino acids.
title_full Origin, trophic transfer and recycling of particulate organic matter in two upwelling bays of Humboldt Current System: Insights from compound-specific isotopic compositions of amino acids.
title_fullStr Origin, trophic transfer and recycling of particulate organic matter in two upwelling bays of Humboldt Current System: Insights from compound-specific isotopic compositions of amino acids.
title_full_unstemmed Origin, trophic transfer and recycling of particulate organic matter in two upwelling bays of Humboldt Current System: Insights from compound-specific isotopic compositions of amino acids.
title_short Origin, trophic transfer and recycling of particulate organic matter in two upwelling bays of Humboldt Current System: Insights from compound-specific isotopic compositions of amino acids.
title_sort origin trophic transfer and recycling of particulate organic matter in two upwelling bays of humboldt current system insights from compound specific isotopic compositions of amino acids
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0306674
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