Biological modulation of shell δ13C in Mytilus galloprovincialis and Phorcus sp.: Divergent responses between CO2 vents and laboratory mesocosms

Abstract. Stable isotopes are fundamental proxies for deciphering past environmental conditions and carbon cycle perturbations. However, applying these geochemical tools with a forward-looking perspective can also help predict the resilience of marine biota in future acidified oceans. This study investigates carbon uptake and biomineralization pathways under reduced pH in two ecologically keystone calcifying species: the bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis and the gastropod Phorcus sp. To unravel these mechanisms, we adopted a dual approach, comparing isotopic trajectories (δ¹³C) under strictly controlled laboratory mesocosms with observations from natural CO₂ vent systems in Ischia, Italy. Our results reveal a striking discrepancy between settings. Under laboratory conditions, both species exhibited a significant depletion in shell δ¹³C as pH decreased, directly tracking seawater carbonate chemistry. Conversely, specimens from the volcanic vents displayed a paradoxical δ¹³C enrichment at low-pH sites (pH ~7.4). These divergent trajectories indicate that in complex natural environments, the geochemical signal of ocean acidification can be overridden by metabolic overprints and trophically driven vital processes. Consequently, while laboratory experiments are essential to isolate kinetic fractionation, natural analogues remain crucial to capture the biological resilience and complex ecological feedback of future oceans. Future research combining these geochemical trends with direct, in vivo physiological assessments will be essential to precisely constrain the underlying metabolic kinetics and refine predictive metabolic models.