Energy flow in an arctic aquatic ecosystem

• Main Author: Schell, D. M.
• Other Authors: United States. Department of Energy.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Alaska Univ., Fairbanks, AK (United States). Inst. of Northern Engineering 1993
• Subjects: 540210; Basic Studies; Isotope Ratio; Terrestrial Ecosystems; Carbon 13; Mass Spectroscopy 540310; Tundra; Carbon Cycle; 54 Environmental Sciences; Energy Budgets; Natural Radioactivity; Organic Matter; Streams; Arctic Regions; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2172/10146756; https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1320051/

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.