Distribution of epipelagic metazooplankton across the Mediterranean Sea during the summer BOUM cruise

The diversity and distribution of epipelagic metazooplankton across the Mediterranean Sea was studied along a 3000 km long transect from the eastern to the western basins during the BOUM cruise in summer 2008. Metazooplankton were sampled using both a 120 μm mesh size bongo net and Niskin bottles in...

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Main Authors: A. Nowaczyk, F. Carlotti, D. Thibault-Botha, M. Pagano
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2011-08-01
Series:Biogeosciences
Online Access:http://www.biogeosciences.net/8/2159/2011/bg-8-2159-2011.pdf
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author A. Nowaczyk
F. Carlotti
D. Thibault-Botha
M. Pagano
author_facet A. Nowaczyk
F. Carlotti
D. Thibault-Botha
M. Pagano
author_sort A. Nowaczyk
collection DOAJ
description The diversity and distribution of epipelagic metazooplankton across the Mediterranean Sea was studied along a 3000 km long transect from the eastern to the western basins during the BOUM cruise in summer 2008. Metazooplankton were sampled using both a 120 μm mesh size bongo net and Niskin bottles in the upper 200 m layer at 17 stations. Here we report on the stock, the composition and the structure of the metazooplankton community. The abundance was 4 to 8 times higher than in several previously published studies, whereas the biomass remained within the same order of magnitude. An eastward decrease in abundance was evident, although biomass was variable. Spatial (horizontal and vertical) distribution of metazooplankton abundance and biomass was strongly correlated to chlorophyll-<i>a</i> concentration. In addition, a clear association was observed between the vertical distribution of nauplii and small copepods and the depth of the deep chlorophyll maximum. The distinction between the communities of the eastern and western basins was clearly explained by the environmental factors. The specific distribution pattern of remarkable species was also described.
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spelling doaj.art-728eb126b2c6411bb1dc88cfa9c5d7bc2022-12-22T01:56:24ZengCopernicus PublicationsBiogeosciences1726-41701726-41892011-08-01882159217710.5194/bg-8-2159-2011Distribution of epipelagic metazooplankton across the Mediterranean Sea during the summer BOUM cruiseA. NowaczykF. CarlottiD. Thibault-BothaM. PaganoThe diversity and distribution of epipelagic metazooplankton across the Mediterranean Sea was studied along a 3000 km long transect from the eastern to the western basins during the BOUM cruise in summer 2008. Metazooplankton were sampled using both a 120 μm mesh size bongo net and Niskin bottles in the upper 200 m layer at 17 stations. Here we report on the stock, the composition and the structure of the metazooplankton community. The abundance was 4 to 8 times higher than in several previously published studies, whereas the biomass remained within the same order of magnitude. An eastward decrease in abundance was evident, although biomass was variable. Spatial (horizontal and vertical) distribution of metazooplankton abundance and biomass was strongly correlated to chlorophyll-<i>a</i> concentration. In addition, a clear association was observed between the vertical distribution of nauplii and small copepods and the depth of the deep chlorophyll maximum. The distinction between the communities of the eastern and western basins was clearly explained by the environmental factors. The specific distribution pattern of remarkable species was also described.http://www.biogeosciences.net/8/2159/2011/bg-8-2159-2011.pdf
spellingShingle A. Nowaczyk
F. Carlotti
D. Thibault-Botha
M. Pagano
Distribution of epipelagic metazooplankton across the Mediterranean Sea during the summer BOUM cruise
Biogeosciences
title Distribution of epipelagic metazooplankton across the Mediterranean Sea during the summer BOUM cruise
title_full Distribution of epipelagic metazooplankton across the Mediterranean Sea during the summer BOUM cruise
title_fullStr Distribution of epipelagic metazooplankton across the Mediterranean Sea during the summer BOUM cruise
title_full_unstemmed Distribution of epipelagic metazooplankton across the Mediterranean Sea during the summer BOUM cruise
title_short Distribution of epipelagic metazooplankton across the Mediterranean Sea during the summer BOUM cruise
title_sort distribution of epipelagic metazooplankton across the mediterranean sea during the summer boum cruise
url http://www.biogeosciences.net/8/2159/2011/bg-8-2159-2011.pdf
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