Mesoscale physical variability affects zooplankton production in the Labrador Sea |
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| Authors: | L Yebra RP Harris EJH Head I Yashayaev LR Harris AG Hirst |
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| Institution: | 1. Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, Plymouth PL1 3DH, UK;2. Ocean Sciences Division, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, PO Box 1006, Dartmouth, NS, Canada B2Y 2A4;3. School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK |
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| Abstract: | Surface distribution (0–100 m) of zooplankton biomass and specific aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARS) activity, as a proxy of structural growth, were assessed during winter 2002 and spring 2004 in the Labrador Sea. Two fronts formed by strong boundary currents, several anticyclonic eddies and a cyclonic eddy were studied. The spatial contrasts observed in seawater temperature, salinity and fluorescence, associated with those mesoscale structures, affected the distributions of both zooplankton biomass and specific AARS activity, particularly those of the smaller individuals. Production rates of large organisms (200–1000 μm) were significantly related to microzooplankton biomass (63–200 μm), suggesting a cascade effect from hydrography through microzooplankton to large zooplankton. Water masses defined the biomass distribution of the three dominant species: Calanus glacialis was restricted to cold waters on the shelves while Calanus hyperboreus and Calanus finmarchicus were widespread from Canada to Greenland. Zooplankton production was up to ten-fold higher inside anticyclonic eddies than in the surrounding waters. The recent warming tendency observed in the Labrador Sea will likely generate weaker convection and less energetic mesoscale eddies. This may lead to a decrease in zooplankton growth and production in the Labrador basin. |
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