2.5. Sample processing for the isotopic analysis
Epidermis and body muscle of sea cucumbers were dissected and
soaked in 1.2 N HCl for a few minutes to remove traces of carbonates,
and when CO2 bubbles were no longer observed, rinsed with distilled
water, dried at 60 °C, ground to a powder, and analyzed for the stable carbon
and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ13C, δ15N). EP were dried at 60 °C,
powdered, and used for the isotopic analysis. The trap material was
sieved on a 1 mm mesh to remove benthic animals, filtered through
a Nuclepore polycarbonate track-etch membrane filter (pore size=
0.8 μm),