A Comparative Study of Zooplankton from Oceanic, Shelf, and Harbor Waters of Jamaica

Abstract

Quantitative zooplankton samples and hydrographic data were collected in oceanic, shelf, harbor mouth, and harbor basin waters of the Caribbean Sea off Jamaica, from February 1962 to July 1964. These data constitute a baseline study in an area of subsequent increased pollution. All measurements were higher for the harbor stations than for the shelf and oceanic stations, indicative of an island mass effect. Considerable fluctuations occurred in quantitative measurements for all statiors, more than an order of magnitude in each case, but the overall variations showed no distinct seasonal pattern. Eighty-seven species of zooplankters were identified from oceanic (1J), 84 from shelf (2J), 77 from harbor mouth (3J), and 66 from harbor basin waters (4J). Copepods were the most important constituent of the zooplankton in all areas, but most important at the shelf and oceanic stations. Other important zooplankters were fish eggs at 1J and 4 J, and cladocerans, larvaceans, and larvae at 3J and 4J. Chaetognaths were also relatively abundant at the two harbor stations. THERE IS A GENERAL PAUCITY of comprehensive studies on the effect of pollution on tropical marine environments. The single criterion needed for effectively evaluating the extent of damage after years of stress in a specific instance is too often lacking, inasmuch as a pre-condition baseline study does not