自养/异养的季节性差异对珊瑚骨骼碳同位素的影响

韦競, 许慎栋, 余克服, 莫洪燕, 俞小鹏

海洋学研究 ›› 2026, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (3) : 83-90.

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海洋学研究 ›› 2026, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (3) : 83-90. DOI: 10.27049/j.cnki.1001-909X.2026004
研究论文

自养/异养的季节性差异对珊瑚骨骼碳同位素的影响

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Effects of seasonal variations in autotrophy/heterotrophy on coral skeletal carbon isotopes

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摘要

珊瑚骨骼稳定碳同位素(δ13Cs)是记录过去环境变化的重要指标,已广泛应用于不同时间尺度的气候环境重建。然而,δ13Cs的主控因素目前仍存争议,特别是珊瑚营养模式与光合、呼吸作用强度的季节差异对δ13Cs的调控机制尚不明确。本研究以2023年10月(秋季)和2024年4月(春季)采自广西涠洲岛的澄黄滨珊瑚(Porites lutea)为研究对象,综合运用同位素地球化学指标并结合生理参数与环境参数开展分析。结果显示,与春季相比,秋季虫黄藻密度、叶绿素a含量、虫黄藻同位素(δ13Cz)、总光合速率/总呼吸速率比值(P/R)、宿主有机质碳同位素(δ13Ch)以及宿主有机质碳同位素与虫黄藻碳同位素的差值(Δ13Ch-z)均相对较低,表明秋季共生虫黄藻密度降低、光合作用减弱,珊瑚异养贡献占比上升;而春季随着虫黄藻密度回升,光合作用增强,异养贡献占比相应降低。珊瑚骨骼δ13Cs值与虫黄藻密度、δ13Cz均呈正相关关系,且其季节性差异与Δ13Ch-z值及P/R的变化一致,表明珊瑚自养/异养比例及P/R比值是驱动δ13Cs季节差异的关键因素。因此,在基于δ13Cs的古环境重建研究中,应考虑珊瑚共生体自身光合作用/呼吸作用变化对δ13Cs的影响。

Abstract

Coral skeletal carbon isotope composition (δ13Cs) is an important proxy for reconstructing past environmental changes and has been widely applied in paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental studies across various temporal scales. However, the factors controlling skeletal δ13Cs remain controversial, particularly the roles of seasonal variations in coral nutritional strategy and the relative intensities of photosynthesis and respiration. In this study, Porites lutea samples collected from Weizhou Island, Guangxi, China, in October 2023 (autumn) and April 2024 (spring) were analyzed using isotopic geochemical proxies in combination with physiological and environmental parameters. Compared with spring, corals collected in autumn exhibited lower zooxanthellae density (ZD), chlorophyll a (Chl a) content, zooxanthellae carbon isotope composition (δ13Cz), gross photosynthesis-to-gross respiration ratio (P/R), host tissue carbon isotope composition (δ13Ch), and the isotopic difference between host tissue and zooxanthellae (Δ13Ch-z). These results indicate that autumn corals experienced reduced zooxanthellae density and photosynthetic activity, accompanied by an increased contribution of heterotrophy, whereas enhanced zooxanthellae density and photosynthesis in spring resulted in a lower relative contribution of heterotrophy. Coral skeletal δ13Cs was positively correlated with both ZD and δ13Cz, while its seasonal variation was consistent with changes in Δ13Ch-z and P/R, suggesting that shifts in the autotrophic/heterotrophic balance and metabolic activity contribute to seasonal variations in skeletal δ13Cs. Therefore, variations in the photosynthetic and respiratory activities of the coral holobiont should be taken into account when interpreting coral skeletal δ13Cs records for paleoenvironmental reconstructions.

关键词

造礁珊瑚 / 骨骼碳同位素 / 分馏效应 / 营养方式 / 虫黄藻密度 / P/R比值 / 季节性变化 / 涠洲岛

Key words

scleractinian corals / skeletal carbon isotopes / fractionation effect / trophic status / zooxanthellae density / P/R ratio / seasonal variation / Weizhou Island

引用本文

导出引用
韦競, 许慎栋, 余克服, 等. 自养/异养的季节性差异对珊瑚骨骼碳同位素的影响[J]. 海洋学研究. 2026, 44(3): 83-90 https://doi.org/10.27049/j.cnki.1001-909X.2026004
Wei Jing, Xu Shendong, Yu Kefu, et al. Effects of seasonal variations in autotrophy/heterotrophy on coral skeletal carbon isotopes[J]. Journal of Marine Sciences. 2026, 44(3): 83-90 https://doi.org/10.27049/j.cnki.1001-909X.2026004
中图分类号: P597;Q178.53   

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基金

南方海洋科学与工程广东省实验室(广州)人才队伍经费(GML20230920)
广西科技基地与人才专项(桂科AD25069075)

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