| Trophic transfers of particulate organic matter sources to the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas were investigated in the oyster farming bay of Marennes-Oléron for two years. Stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen were used to trace the origin and fate of primary production and organic matter inputs into the bay, and to depict trophic transfers to oysters that were experimentally reared according to traditional methods. Characterizing particulate organic matter sources available for oysters utilized a combination of hydrobiological parameters and stable isotope ratios. Processes of food incorporation by oysters were described for five organs such as gills, digestive gland, mantle, muscle and gonads, and were interpreted taking into account... |
