Ontogenic decrease of δC in bivalve shell: Evidence of vital effect.

The article focuses on a study which examined the carbon isotope ratio values in Corbicular fluminea shells. Samples of Corbicula fluminea were collected from the Huaxi River in Guizhou Province, South China. Results of the study showed that the carbon isotope ratio values were more negative than expected. It also observed a decrease in these values through ontogeny. It points out that the increased use of metabolic carbon for calcification led to the decrease in carbon isotope ratio values.