Oxygen Isotope Studies on Sea Scallops, <i>Placopecten magellanicus</i>, from Browns Bank, Nova Scotia

Abstract

Oxygen isotope records from two sea scallops, Placopecten magellanicus, collected alive from Browns Bank, Nova Scotia, show annual cycles that closely approximate the isotopic composition predicted as a function of observed temperatures and the isotopic composition of the ambient seawater. The external growth lines coincided with the most positive δ 18 O values of the cycles, suggesting their formation during the period of coldest water temperatures (spring). The δ 18 O results indicate that the growth lines are annual events, consistent with the biological evidence.