stable isotope ratios act as naturally-occurring tracers for organic matter, making possible, under certain conditions, the quantification of coastal-offshore exchanges. In general, organic matter has isotope ratios characteristic of its origin (e. g. plants with different modes of photosynthesis and different growth conditions, anthropogenic compounds). These ratios are maintained as the organic matter moves through the biosphere and geosphere. A mixture of organic matter from two sources has isotope ratios intermediate between those of the two sources, in proportion to the fraction of material from each source. Isotope ratios are one of the few methods which can trace organic matter as it moves through natural ecosystems. Ratios can be measured on both the total organic matter and on particular chemical fractions or compounds. When used on organisms, isotope ratios provide information of organic matter actually assimilated into body tissues, not just material ingested. As with all tools, this method has certain limitations which must be borne in mind when interpreting its results. Firstly, specific environmental conditions must be met. This generally means an ecosystem with a limited and known number of sources of organic matter having different isotope ratios. Two sources with different isotope ratios are ideal; additional sources with other isotope ratios complicate interpretation. Secondly, the difference in isotope ratios of the two sources should be large compared with analytical variability. Thirdly, the ratios within each source should vary as little as possible.

Inshore/offshore water exchange in shallow coastal systems

Coastal/offshore water exchange in narrow, deep shelf areas
Satellite remote sensing for estimating coastal/offshore transports
The use of stable isotope ratios for tracing the nearshore-offshore exchange of organic matter
Tidal flat areas
Patterns of organic carbon exchange between coastal ecosystems. - The mass balance approach in salt marsh ecosystems
Coupling of mangroves to the productivity of estuarine and coastal waters
Production and transport of organic matter in mangrove-dominated estuaries
Energy flow through fjord systems
Mass balance in coral reef-dominated areas
Riverine C, N, Si and P transport to the coastal ocean: an overview
Fish migrations between coastal and offshore areas
Larval transport in coastal crustacea: three case histories
Transport of crab larvae between estuaries and the continental shelf
Coupling of hydrodynamic and ecosystems modeling applied to tidal estuaries
An evaluation of presented evidence.