Variation of Zooplankton Mean Volume Backscattering Strength from Moored and Mobile ADCP Instruments for Diel Vertical Migration Observation

Angga Dwinovantyo,Susilohadi Susilohadi,Tohru Mukai,Tri Prartono,Henry M. Manik

doi:10.3390/app9091851

Angga Dwinovantyo, Susilohadi Susilohadi + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app9091851

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Abstract

Zooplankton can be detected by using acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) instruments through acquiring the mean volume backscattering strength (MVBS) data. However, the precision of the backscattered signal measured by single ADCP measurement has a limitation in the MVBS variation of zooplankton. The objectives of this study were to analyze the MVBS and vertical velocity from ADCPs at the same time and location for zooplankton’s daily vertical migration (DVM) observation. Measurements were conducted in Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Instruments used included a moored ADCP 750 kHz and a mobile ADCP 307.2 kHz. High MVBS value was found at 11.5–16 m depths and was identified as the sound scattering layer (SSL). The DVM patterns in the SSL displayed significant differences over time and had good relationships with the diurnal cycle. Theoretical target strength (TS) from the scattering models based on a distorted-wave Born approximation (DWBA) was estimated for Oithona sp. and Paracalanus sp.; the two dominant species found in the observed area. However, ΔMVBS and ΔTS proved that the dominant zooplankton species were not the main scatterers. The strong signal in SSL was instead caused by the schools of various zooplankton species.

Highlights

Zooplankton is a key component and plays an important role in fisheries as the first level consumer in oceanic food webs [1]
A high level of mean volume backscattering strength (MVBS) mainly occurred at the near bottom of the observed depth, indicated as the sound scattering layer (SSL)
Near the surface and middle columns layer, the MVBS value was much lower when compared with the near-bottom area

Summary

Introduction

Zooplankton is a key component and plays an important role in fisheries as the first level consumer in oceanic food webs [1]. The research on this organism need to be explored more, in tropical areas with additional complexity due to the high biodiversity [2,3,4]. The main problem in zooplankton research, in observing the behavior of zooplankton’s diel vertical migration is the lack of continuous and comprehensive spatial data [5,6,7,8]. Vertical migration is a common behavior of zooplankton which is affected by environmental conditions [9,10].

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