Detritus derived from eelgrass and macroalgae as potential carbon source for Mytilus edulis in Kiel Fjord, Germany: A preliminary carbon isotopic study

Abstract

Stable carbon isotope ratios were measured for the muscle tissue of blue mussel Mytilus edulis, eelgrass Zostera marina, macroalgae Fucus vesiculosus, and phytoplankton in two areas in Kiel Fjord, Germany. Carbon isotope evidence is presented to show the predominance of phytoplanktonic production as a carbon source for M. eduhs tissue carbon. Via decomposition processes for both eelgrass and macroalgal primary production, each contributed 0.5-6.5 % to mussel carbon.