Energy flow in an arctic aquatic ecosystem

• Main Author: Schell, D.M.
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; TUNDRA; CARBON CYCLE; ARCTIC REGIONS; CARBON 13; ENERGY BUDGETS; ISOTOPE RATIO; MASS SPECTROSCOPY; NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY; ORGANIC MATTER; STREAMS; TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS; CARBON ISOTOPES; CRYOSPHERE; ECOSYSTEMS; EVEN-ODD NUCLEI; ISOTOPES; LIGHT NUCLEI; MATTER; NUCLEI; POLAR REGIONS; RADIOACTIVITY; SPECTROSCOPY; STABLE ISOTOPES; SURFACE WATERS; Arctic; Tundra
• Online Access: http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6559096; https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6559096; https://doi.org/10.2172/6559096

This project has been using natural isotope abundances to trace major pathways of energy flow to consumers in Imnavait Creek and the tundra ecosystem of the R4D watershed with comparative work in the coastal tundra. We are processing samples collected at the R4D intensive site over the past three years and are comparing these data with similar samples collected from the coastal plain. Our approach is to determine if carbon is accumulating in upland and coastal tundra; to determine the role of eroded peat carbon in the aquatic ecosystem; and to determine the distribution of carbon and nitrogen isotopes in the tundra-pond ecosystem to establish the feasibility of using natural differences as tracers.