Chemistry
| Algal group | δ13C range |
|---|---|
| HCO3-using red algae | −22.5‰ to −9.6‰ |
| CO2-using red algae | −34.5‰ to −29.9‰ |
| Brown algae | −20.8‰ to −10.5‰ |
| Green algae | −20.3‰ to −8.8‰ |
The δ13C values of red algae reflect their lifestyles. The largest difference results from their photosynthetic metabolic pathway: algae that use HCO3 as a carbon source have far more negative δ13C values than those that only use CO2. An additional difference of about 1.71‰ separates groups intertidal from those below the lowest tide line, which are never exposed to atmospheric carbon. The latter group uses the more 13C-negative CO2 dissolved in sea water, whereas those with access to atmospheric carbon reflect the more positive signature of this reserve.
Read more about this topic: Red Algae
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