Zooplankton community structure, biomass and role in carbon fluxes during the second half of a phytoplankton bloom in the eastern sector of the Kerguelen Shelf (January–February 2005)

Abstract

During the KEOPS survey, zooplankton was sampled with vertical tows to estimate zooplankton stock and to study its composition and size structure both using traditional taxonomic identification and Optical Plankton Counter (OPC). Mesozooplankton OPC-biomass derived from OPC size spectra and integrated over 200 m was variable with average values about 10 g C m−2 along transects A and B and at the fixed station KERFIX, and only ∼5 g C m−2 along transect C. Stations in the most oceanic area (A11, B11, and C11) presented biomass values 3 times lower than the mean value of their respective transects, highlighting a clear decrease of the biomass beyond the shelf. The mesozooplankton community was dominated by copepods, particularly by large- and medium-size calanoids and small Oithonidae. Large numbers of different copepodites stages and nauplii were found, as well as exuviae, indicating that individuals were in active growing phase over the whole area. Euphausiids, chaetognaths, appendicularians, amphipods, polychaetes, ostracods and salps were found as well. Two reference stations, A3 located in the middle of the bloom on the shelf and C11 in the oceanic waters, were visited several times during the cruise. No particular temporal variations, neither in biomass nor in community structure, were observed, but differences in integrated biomass (average biomass at A3: 10.6 g C m−2; at C11: 2.8 g C m−2) between oceanic and shelf stations clearly show an enhanced secondary production on the shelf. Additional measurements at some stations were performed in order to quantify ingestion (gut contents) and respiration rates on key species and size groups. Gut pigment contents were higher during the first half of the survey at both stations, showing clear temporal changes probably linked to the prey field, with lower values always reported in the oceanic waters compared to the shelf. Values of respiration and ingestion rates extrapolated from OPC size spectra using published allometric relationships are discussed.