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DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET

Stable Isotope Applications in Freshwater Zooplankton Ecology: Indicators of Trophic Dynamics and Environmental Change

T. Venkateswara RaoDepartment of Zoology & Aquaculture, Pithapur Raja’s Govt. College, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, IndiaB. ChakravarthiDepartment of Zoology & Aquaculture, Pithapur Raja’s Govt. College, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, IndiaN. SreenivasDepartment of Zoology, Government Degree College, Ramachandrapuram, Andhra Pradesh, IndiaT. SushmaDepartment of Zoology & Aquaculture, Pithapur Raja’s Govt. College, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, IndiaC. SmyrnaDepartment of Zoology & Aquaculture, Pithapur Raja’s Govt. College, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, IndiaY. GowthamiDepartment of Zoology & Aquaculture, Pithapur Raja’s Govt. College, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, IndiaB. DeviDepartment of Zoology & Aquaculture, Pithapur Raja’s Govt. College, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India

Vol 9 No 10 (2025): Volume 9, Issue 10, October 2025 | Pages: 9-12

International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology

OPEN ACCESS | Research Article | Published Date: 09-10-2025

doi Logo doi.org/10.47001/IRJIET/2025.910002

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Abstract

Stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) are pivotal in aquatic food web studies, serving as intrinsic tracers of carbon sources and trophic positioning. In freshwater ecosystems, zooplankton represent an essential intermediate trophic group, rapidly integrating isotopic signals from lower trophic levels. This mini-review critically examines the current state of knowledge regarding stable isotope applications in freshwater zooplankton research, with a focus on quantifying anthropogenic impacts such as eutrophication, land-use conversion, and climate-mediated hydrological shifts. The review synthesizes key empirical findings, methodological protocols, and statistical approaches for interpreting isotopic variability. Recent advancements in compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA), baseline normalization, and mixing models are discussed. Emphasis is placed on tropical and subtropical regions, including South Indian aquatic systems, where isotopic frameworks remain underutilized. This synthesis highlights the potential of stable isotope techniques to elucidate biogeochemical pathways, refine ecosystem models, and support biomonitoring under accelerating global change.

Keywords

Stable isotopes, aquatic ecosystems, zooplankton and compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA)


Citation of this Article

T. Venkateswara Rao, B. Chakravarthi, N. Sreenivas, T. Sushma, C. Smyrna, Y. Gowthami, & B. Devi. (2025). Stable Isotope Applications in Freshwater Zooplankton Ecology: Indicators of Trophic Dynamics and Environmental Change. International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology - IRJIET, 9(10), 9-12. Article DOI https://doi.org/10.47001/IRJIET/2025.910002

Licence Copyright (c) 2026 International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology creative common licence This work is licensed under Creative common Attribution Non Commercial 4.0 Internation Licence
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