Zooplankton Concentrations Research Articles

A unique warm–water oasis in the Siberian Arctic’s Chaun Bay sustained by hydrothermal groundwater discharge

Chaun Bay, located on the fringe of the East Siberian Sea, has been described since the mid-20th century to support a unique marine ecosystem that is atypical for the local Siberian Arctic. Here we use ship-board physical, biogeochemical and geological measurements taken in October 2020, along with hydrographic observations taken from land-fast ice in April 2023, to demonstrate that these warm-water biological communities are supported by hydrothermal submarine groundwater discharge that delivers heat, salinity, nutrients, and trace elements to the bay. We identify a cyclonic eddy that mixes the warm nutrient-rich groundwater with oxygen-rich surface water, resulting in a water mass within Chaun Bay that has similar physical and chemical properties to the highly productive waters of the North Pacific and Southern Chukchi Sea. The bay showed elevated concentrations of chlorophyll-a and zooplankton, and the abundance and species diversity of epibenthos significantly exceeded values observed elsewhere in the East Siberian Sea. The benthic communities contained a number of boreal species that are not typically found in the Arctic Ocean. We also observed Thysanoessa krill populations, a pelagic species generally considered an expatriate in Arctic waters.

Key role of plankton species and nutrients on biomagnification of PAHs in the micro-food chain: A case study in plateau reservoirs of Guizhou, China

There is considerable inconsistency in results pertaining to the biomagnification of PAHs in aquatic systems. Zooplankton specifically play an important role controlling the fate and distribution of organic contaminants up the food chain, particularly in large plateau reservoirs. However, it remains largely unknown how secondary factors affect the magnification of organic compounds in zooplankton. The present study assessed plankton species and nutrients affecting the trophic transfer of PAHs through the micro-food chain in plateau reservoirs, Guizhou Province China. Results show soluble ∑PAHs range from 99.9 – 147.3 ng L-1, and concentrations of ∑PAHs in zooplankton range from 1003.2 - 22441.3, with a mean of 4460.7 ng g-1 dw. Trophic magnification factors (TMFs) > 1 show biomagnifications of PAHs from phytoplankton to zooplankton. The main mechanisms for trophic magnification > 1 are 1) small Copepoda, Cladocera and Rotifera are prey for larger N. schmackeri and P. tunguidus, and 2) the δ15N and TLs of zooplankton are increasing with the increasing nutrients TN, NO3- and CODMn. As a result, log PAHs concentrations in zooplankton are positively correlated with the trophic levels (TLs) of zooplankton, and log BAFs of the PAHs in zooplankton are increasing with increasing TLs and log Kow. Temperature further enhances TMFs and biomagnifications of PAHs as noted by temperature related reductions in δ15N. There are also available soluble PAHs in the water column which are assimilated with increasing phytoplankton biomass within the taxa groups, diatoms, dinoflagellates and chlorophytes. Notable TMFs of PAHs in zooplankton in Guizhou plateau reservoirs are not significantly affected by phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass dilutions. The present study demonstrates the important roles of species selection, nutrients and temperature in the environmental fate of PAHs in freshwaters.

Ecotoxicological Assessment of Microplastics and Cellulose Particles in the Galápagos Islands and Galápagos Penguin Food Web.

Microplastic pollution threatens some of the world's most iconic locations for marine biodiversity, including the remote Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. Using the Galápagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) as a sentinel species, the present study assessed microplastics and suspected anthropogenic cellulose concentrations in surface seawater and zooplankton near Santa Cruz and Galápagos penguin colonies (Floreana, Isabela, Santiago), as well as in penguin potential prey (anchovies, mullets, milkfish) and penguin scat. On average, 0.40 ± 0.32 microplastics L-1 were found in surface seawater (<10 μm; n = 63 L), while 0.003, 0.27, and 5.12 microplastics individual-1 were found in zooplankton (n = 3372), anchovies (n = 11), and mullets (n = 6), respectively. The highest concentration (27 microplastics individual-1) was observed in a single milkfish. Calculations based on microplastics per gram of prey, in a potential diet composition scenario, suggest that the Galápagos penguin may consume 2881 to 9602 microplastics daily from prey. Despite this, no microplastics or cellulose were identified in 3.40 g of guano collected from two penguins. Our study confirms microplastic exposure in the pelagic food web and endangered penguin species within the UNESCO World Heritage site Galápagos Islands, which can be used to inform regional and international policies to mitigate plastic pollution and conserve biodiversity in the global ocean. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1442-1457. © 2024 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Temporal evolution of plankton and particles distribution across a mesoscale front during the spring bloom

AbstractThe effect of mesoscale features on the distribution of planktonic organisms are well documented. Yet, the interaction between these spatial features and the temporal scale, which can result in sudden increases of the planktonic biomass, is less known and not described at high resolution. A permanent mesoscale front in the Ligurian Sea (north‐western Mediterranean) was repeatedly sampled between January and June 2021 using a SeaExplorer glider equipped with an Underwater Vision Profiler 6 (UVP6), a versatile in situ imager. Both plankton and particle distributions were resolved throughout the spring bloom to assess whether the front was a location of increased zooplankton concentration and whether it constrained particle distribution. Over the 5 months, the glider performed more than 5000 dives and the UVP6 collected 1.1 million images. We focused our analysis on shallow (300 m) transects, which gave a horizontal resolution of 900 m. About 13,000 images of planktonic organisms were retained. Ordination methods applied to particles and plankton concentrations revealed strong temporal variations during the bloom, with a succession of various zooplankton communities. Changes in particle abundance and size could be explained by changes in the plankton community. The front had a strong influence on particle distribution, while the signal was not as clear for plankton, probably because of the relatively small number of imaged organisms. This work confirms the need to sample both plankton and particles at fine scale to understand their interactions, a task for which automated in situ imaging is particularly adapted.

Mercury dynamics at the base of the pelagic food web of the Gulf of Gdańsk, southern Baltic Sea

Planktonic organisms, which have direct contact with water, serve as the entry point for mercury (Hg), into the marine food web, impacting its levels in higher organisms, including fish, mammals, and humans who consume seafood. This study provides insights into the distribution and behavior of Hg within the Baltic Sea, specifically the Gulf of Gdańsk, focusing on pelagic primary producers and consumers. Phytoplankton Hg levels were primarily influenced by its concentrations in water, while Hg concentrations in zooplankton resulted from dietary exposure through suspended particulate matter and phytoplankton consumption. Hg uptake by planktonic organisms, particularly phytoplankton, was highly efficient, with Hg concentrations four orders of magnitude higher than those in the surrounding water. However, unlike biomagnification of Hg between SPM and zooplankton, biomagnification between zooplankton and phytoplankton was not apparent, likely due to the low trophic position and small size of primary consumers, high Hg elimination rates, and limited absorption.

Chinook salmon depth distributions on the continental shelf are shaped by interactions between location, season, and individual condition

BackgroundEcological and physical conditions vary with depth in aquatic ecosystems, resulting in gradients of habitat suitability. Although variation in vertical distributions among individuals provides evidence of habitat selection, it has been challenging to disentangle how processes at multiple spatio-temporal scales shape behaviour.MethodsWe collected thousands of observations of depth from >300\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$>~300$$\\end{document} acoustically tagged adult Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, spanning multiple seasons and years. We used these data to parameterize a machine-learning model to disentangle the influence of spatial, temporal, and dynamic oceanographic variables while accounting for differences in individual condition and maturation stage.ResultsThe top performing machine learning model used bathymetric depth ratio (i.e., individual depth relative to seafloor depth) as a response. We found that bathymetry, season, maturation stage, and spatial location most strongly influenced Chinook salmon depth. Chinook salmon bathymetric depth ratios were deepest in shallow water, during winter, and for immature individuals. We also identified non-linear interactions among covariates, resulting in spatially-varying effects of zooplankton concentration, lunar cycle, temperature and oxygen concentration.ConclusionsOur results suggest Chinook salmon vertical habitat use is a function of ecological interactions, not physiological constraints. Temporal and spatial variation in depth distributions could be used to guide management decisions intended to reduce fishery impacts on Chinook salmon. More generally, our findings demonstrate how complex interactions among bathymetry, seasonality, location, and life history stage regulate vertical habitat selection.

Fishery and notes on the biology of Pacific ocean perch Sebastes alutus (Sebastidae) off the Commander Islands

The fishery and some aspects of the biology of the Pacific ocean perch Sebastes alutus off the Commander Islands. It has been established that the harvest of this species is episodic in nature, is not subject to seasonal dynamics and is carried out in a local area located west of the Bering Island. The contribution of this water area to the total catch of rockfishes in the Petropavlovsk-Commander subzone in 2001–2022 did not exceed 26.5%. Near the Commander Islands, S. alutus was observed at depths of 138–370 m at a water temperature near-bottom of 3.1–3.9°C, and in catches it was represented by individuals 17–45 cm length. Presumably the formation of accumulations in the upper part of the continental slope to the west of the Bering Island is due to the presence of an anticyclonic circulation, which contributes to the formation of high concentrations of zooplankton as the main food source and favorable conditions for the development of spawned larvae.

Modelling microplastic bioaccumulation and biomagnification potential in the Galápagos penguin ecosystem using Ecopath and Ecosim (EwE) with Ecotracer.

Bioaccumulation and biomagnification of anthropogenic particles are crucial factors in assessing microplastic impacts to marine ecosystems. Microplastic pollution poses a significant threat to iconic and often endangered species but examining their tissues and gut contents for contaminant analysis via lethal sampling is challenging due to ethical concerns and animal care restrictions. Incorporating empirical data from prey items and fecal matter into models can help trace microplastic movement through food webs. In this study, the Galápagos penguin food web served as an indicator species to assess microplastic bioaccumulation and biomagnification potential using trophodynamic Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) modelling with Ecotracer. Empirical data collected from surface seawater near Galápagos penguin colonies, zooplankton, penguin prey, and penguin scat in October 2021 were used to inform the ecosystem model. Multiple scenarios, including a 99% elimination rate, were employed to assess model sensitivity. Model predictions revealed that microplastics can bioaccumulate in all predator-prey relationships, but biomagnification is highly dependent on the elimination rate. It establishes the need for more research into elimination rates of different plastics, which is a critical missing gap in current microplastic ecotoxicological and bioaccumulation science. Compared to empirical data, modelling efforts underpredicted microplastic concentrations in zooplankton and over-predicted concentrations in fish. Ultimately, the ecosystem modelling provides novel insights into potential microplastics' bioaccumulation and biomagnification risks. These findings can support regional marine plastic pollution management efforts to conserve native and endemic species of the Galápagos Islands and the Galápagos Marine Reserve.

Innovative aquaculture cage “Flow2Vortex” ensures a sustainable biomass delivery for low trophic level aquaculture

The increasing global demand for seafood, coupled with the limitations of current fish stocks and aquaculture practices, requires the development of sustainable aquaculture solutions. In this context, this study explores the potential of a novel cage technology - Flow2Vortex - for the cultivation of jellyfish, a low-trophic-level organism with increasing market demand. The unique cage design creates a laminar and circular water flow, providing optimal conditions for cultivating fragile planktonic species. Indoor experiments demonstrated the successful growth of jellyfish in the cage, with growth rates of up to 11.6% per day. In addition, field tests in open waters confirmed the cage's ability to maintain a diffuse and controlled flow inside, even under strong external currents. The cage also maintained significantly higher zooplankton concentrations than the surrounding environment, offering a consistent food source for the cultivated jellyfish. These findings highlight the potential of the Flow2Vortex cage for scalable indoor and outdoor cultivation of low-trophic-level organisms, such as jellyfish, contributing to the diversification and sustainability of aquaculture practices.

Study on diel migration of zooplankton in the Arctic surrounding seas during summer season based on mathematical statistics

Marine zooplankton have diel vertical migration behavior and play a key role in the transport of surface organic compounds to the deep ocean, which is of great significance in studying marine climate change. In this research, the manual visual interpretation method was used to preprocess the biological backscattering intensity data of acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) during the eighth Arctic expedition. Results showed that the extracted vertical migration trajectory was in good agreement with the variation of backscattering intensity data. The amount of zooplankton in the Arctic Ocean is significantly lower than that in the North Pacific and the North Atlantic, and sea ice cover has a significant effect on the diel vertical migration of zooplankton. Characteristics of zooplankton distribution in the North Atlantic Ocean were analyzed based on mathematical statistical methods. The results also prove that the backscattering intensity of -90dB can distinguish scattering layer and water, and that of -78dB can distinguish general scatters and zooplankton. There are two significant concentrations of zooplankton in the Atlantic Ocean which were located at the surface and at depths of 350-450 m, respectively.

Flow event size influences carbon, nutrient and zooplankton dynamics in a highly regulated lowland river

AbstractRiver regulation and water extraction has significantly altered flow regimes and reduced flood events in many inland river systems. Environmental flows have been adopted in many systems to mitigate the ecological impacts of river regulation, however a lack of knowledge regarding the interrelationship between flow regimes, carbon transport and instream productivity make prioritising water management difficult. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a study on the Namoi River in the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia, monitoring changes in dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nutrient dynamics and planktonic food web structure during a period of variable flows. Nutrient and DOC concentrations were positively correlated with river discharge and zooplankton concentrations were highest post flow events. Planktonic chlorophyll-a, increased DOC concentration and higher discharge were the most influential drivers of change in zooplankton communities. Further, our results indicated that flow events increased production through both heterotrophic and autotrophic pathways, significantly boosting zooplankton concentration compared to base flow conditions across all measured flow events. We suggest even small in-channel flow events can be important for increasing basal and zooplankton production in rivers, and therefore should be protected or promoted by environmental flow management, particularly during drought conditions.

Structures of coexisting marine snow and zooplankton in coastal waters of Svalbard (European Arctic)

How plankton and particles are arranged spatially and the configurations of their co-occurrence shape the rates of organic matter production, utilization, and export within marine systems. The aim of this study was to examine whether the composition of marine snow (particles and aggregates &amp;gt;500 µm) and its coexistence with zooplankton change with depth layer, level of zooplankton dominance, chlorophyll fluorescence, and turbidity across the coastal–offshore gradients of hydrographically different Arctic fjords. The distribution and concentrations of zooplankton and marine snow were assessed in situ using an underwater vision profiler (UVP) in Svalbard waters during summer 2019. UVP counts of marine snow drastically outnumbered zooplankton at glacial stations, whereas zooplankton dominated offshore and in upper water layers, even in coastal waters. The most common compositional structure was dominance by an elongated morphotype of marine snow, often co-occurring with small dark (opaque) particles below 40 m depth, implying that these were the typical forms exported directly from surface layers. The other widespread type of structuring was dominance of UVP counts by copepods. They often coexisted with a flake morphotype of marine snow associated with high chlorophyll fluorescence. Structuring dominated by dark morphotypes was observed mainly near glaciers and in deep fjord basins. The highest amount of marine snow, represented by a high degree of dark morphotype, was observed in Hornsund, the most Arctic-type fjord. A Phaeocystis-associated agglomerated morphotype of marine snow occurred scarcely and only in more Atlantic-influenced fjords. A bimodal distribution pattern, with one abundance peak at the surface and another in deeper layers (&amp;gt;80 m) was observed offshore and in Kongsfjorden. This study emphasizes the high potential of UVPs for tracking links between plankton and detritus directly in their natural environment, and that variation in their co-occurrence may provide a proxy for the state of a pelagic ecosystem.

Annual and Interannual Variability in the Diffuse Attenuation Coefficient and Turbidity in Urbanized Washington Lake from 2013 to 2022 Assessed Using Landsat-8/9

Water clarity, defined in this study using measurements of the downwelling diffuse light attenuation coefficient (Kd) and turbidity, is an important indicator of lake trophic status and ecosystem health. We used in-situ measurements to evaluate existing semi-analytical models for Kd and turbidity, developed a regional turbidity model based on spectral shape, and evaluated the spatial and temporal trends in Lake Washington from 2013 to 2022 using Landsat-8/9 Operational Land Imager (OLI). We found no significant trends from 2013 to 2022 in Kd or turbidity when both the annual and full datasets were considered. In addition to the spring peak lasting from April through June, autumn Kd peaks were present at all sites, a pattern consistent with seasonal chlorophyll a and zooplankton concentrations. There existed no autumn peak in the monthly turbidity dataset, and the spring peak occurred two months before the Kd peak, nearly mirroring seasonal variability in the Cedar River discharge rates over the same period. The Kd and turbidity algorithms were thus each more sensitive to different sources of water clarity variability in Lake Washington.

Microplastics in the maximum chlorophyll layer along a north-south transect in the Mediterranean Sea in comparison with zooplankton concentrations

The aim of this study was to characterize and quantify microplastics (MPs) at the chlorophyll maximum layer (CML), around 30 to 60 m depth, during a cruise dedicated to the study of contaminants in plankton, the MERITE-HIPPOCAMPE project, along a north-south transect in the western Mediterranean Sea (Tedetti et al., 2023). Plankton were collected by horizontal net tows in this layer using a multinet Hydrobios Midi equipped with 60 μm mesh-size nets. The collected plankton were fractionated through a sieve column for various later contaminant measurements and for zooplankton analysis (Fierro-González et al., 2023). For all stations, samples were also fully examined for microplastics (MPs) for fractions >300 μm. MPs were found at all stations in the CML layer (mean: 42.9 ± 45.4 MPs m−3), of which 96 ± 4 % were fibers. The ratios of mesozooplankton/MPs and detritus/MPs in this CML were respectively 223 ± 315 and 2544 ± 2268. These data are analyzed together with MPs concentrations from sea- surface sampled with a 300 μm net-size Manta net at the same stations. Overall, our observations highlight the very high density of fibers at the CML, mainly associated with aggregates, raising the hypothesis of their interactions with marine snow. Therefore, the importance of marine snow and vertical layering will have to be considered in future MP distribution modelling efforts.

Seasonal riverine inputs may affect diet and mercury bioaccumulation in Arctic coastal zooplankton

Climate change driven increases in permafrost thaw and terrestrial runoff are expected to facilitate the mobilization and transport of mercury (Hg) from catchment soils to coastal areas in the Arctic, potentially increasing Hg exposure of marine food webs. The main aim of this study was to determine the impacts of seasonal riverine inputs on land-ocean Hg transport, zooplankton diet and Hg bioaccumulation in an Arctic estuary (Adventfjorden, Svalbard). The Adventelva River was a source of dissolved and particulate Hg to Adventfjorden, especially in June and July during the river's main discharge period. Stable isotope and fatty acid analyses suggest that zooplankton diet varied seasonally with diatoms dominating during the spring phytoplankton bloom in May and with increasing contributions of dinoflagellates in the summer months. In addition, there was evidence of increased terrestrial carbon utilization by zooplankton in June and July, when terrestrial particles contributed substantially to the particulate organic matter pool. Total (TotHg) and methyl Hg (MeHg) concentrations in zooplankton increased from April to August related to increased exposure to riverine inputs, and to shifts in zooplankton diet and community structure. Longer and warmer summer seasons will probably increase riverine runoff and thus Hg exposure to Arctic zooplankton.

Mercury concentrations in Antarctic zooplankton with a focus on the krill species, Euphausia superba

The Antarctic is the most isolated region in the world; nevertheless, it has not avoided the negative impact of human activity, including the inflow of toxic mercury (Hg). Hg deposited in the Antarctic marine environment can be bioavailable and accumulate in the food web, reaching elevated concentrations in high-trophic-level biota, especially if methylated. Zooplankton, together with phytoplankton, are critical for the transport of pollutants, including Hg to higher trophic levels. For the Southern Ocean ecosystem, one of the key zooplankton components is the Antarctic krill Euphausia superba, the smaller euphausiid Thysanoessa macrura, and the amphipod Themisto gaudichaudii – a crucial food source for most predatory fish, birds, and mammals. The main goal of this study was to determine the Hg burden, as well as the distribution of different Hg forms, in these dominant Antarctic planktonic crustaceans. The results showed that the highest concentrations of Hg were found in T. gaudichaudii, a typically predatory taxon. Most of the Hg in the tested crustaceans was labile and potentially bioavailable for planktivorous organisms, with the most dangerous methylmercury (MeHg) accounting for an average of 16 % of the total mercury. Elevated Hg concentrations were observed close to the land, which is influenced by the proximity to penguin and pinniped colonies. In areas near the shore, volcanic activity might be a possible cause of the increase in mercury sulfide (HgS) content. The total Hg concentration increased with the trophic position and ontogenetic stage of predation, specific to adult organisms. In contrast, the proportion of MeHg decreased with age, indicating more efficient demethylation or elimination. The Hg magnification kinetics in the study area were relatively high, which may be related to climate-change induced alterations of the Antarctic ecosystem: additional food sources and reshaped trophic structure.

The effect of catchment load reductions on water quality in the crown-of-thorn starfish outbreak initiation zone

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (CoTS) population outbreaks contribute to coral cover decline on Indo-Pacific reefs. On the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), enhanced catchment nutrient loads are hypothesised to increase phytoplankton food for CoTS larvae in the outbreak initiation zone. This study examines whether catchment load reductions will improve water quality in this zone during the larval period. We defined the i) initiation zone's spatial extent; ii) larval stage's temporal extent; and iii) water quality thresholds related to larval food, from published information. We applied these to model simulations, developed to quantify the effect of catchment load reductions on GBR water quality (Baird et al., 2021), and found a consistently weak response of chlorophyll-a, total organic nitrogen and large zooplankton concentrations in the initiation zone. Model results indicate marine and atmospheric forcing are more likely to control the planktonic biomass in this zone, even during major flooding events purported to precede CoTS outbreaks.

Reservoir-derived subsidies provide a potential management opportunity for novel river ecosystems

Aquatic ecosystems world-wide are being irreversibly altered, suggesting that new and innovative management strategies are necessary to improve ecosystem function and sustainability. In river ecosystems degraded by dams environmental flows and selective withdrawal (SWD) infrastructure have been used to improve habitat for native species. Yet, few studies have quantified nutrient and food web export subsidies from upstream reservoirs, despite their potential to subsidize downstream riverine food webs. We sampled nutrient, phytoplankton, and zooplankton concentrations in outflows from the Shasta-Keswick reservoir complex in Northern California over a 12-month period to understand how SWD operation and internal reservoir conditions interact to influence subsidies to the Sacramento River. We found that nutrients, phytoplankton, and zooplankton were continuously exported from Shasta Reservoir to the Sacramento River and that gate operations at Shasta Dam were important in controlling exports. Further, our results indicate that gate operations and water-export depth strongly correlated with zooplankton community exports, whereas internal reservoir conditions (mixing and residence time) controlled concentrations of exported zooplankton biomass and chlorophyll a. These results demonstrate that reservoirs can be an important source of nutrient and food web subsidies and that selective withdrawal infrastructure may provide a valuable management tool to control ecosystem-level productivity downstream of dams.

Impact of mercury discharged from submarine volcano on inner bay ecosystems

Organic mercury, inorganic mercury and total mercury concentrations in phytoplankton (<0.1 mm) and zooplankton (>0.1 mm) collected in Kagoshima Bay, Japan were measured from 2017 to 2019 to estimate the impact of mercury discharged from submarine volcanoes on ecosystems; submarine volcanic activity continues at a depth of 200 m in the inner part of Kagoshima Bay. The total mercury concentrations in phyto- and zooplankton collected by vertical hauling at 0–200 m at just above the submarine volcano were in the range of 0.11–2.0 mg kg−1 (avg. 0.67 mg kg−1) and 0.090–0.56 mg kg−1 (avg. 0.21 mg kg−1), respectively. These values were one order of magnitude higher than the values in plankton collected in the central part of Kagoshima Bay. Organic mercury concentrations in phyto- and zooplankton were <0.010–0.071 mg kg−1 (avg. 0.028 mg kg−1) and 0.012–0.25 mg kg−1 (avg. 0.10 mg kg−1), respectively, for the inner part, and <0.010–0.040 mg kg−1 (avg. 0.010 mg kg−1) and <0.010–0.025 mg kg−1 (avg. 0.012 mg kg−1), respectively, for the central part. The values obtained in the inner part of the bay increased in summer and decreased in winter, which was consistent with changes in seawater mercury concentrations affected by volcanic activity. The organic mercury concentration in zooplankton collected just above the submarine volcano showed a size dependency, and a higher value was observed in the larger size, which suggested that the discharged mercury from the volcano was absorbed and concentrated through the ecosystem.

Prediction of potential fishing grounds of swordtip squid (Uroteuthis edulis) based on a physical–biochemical coupled model

AbstractSwordtip squid (Uroteuthis edulis), which is sometimes eaten alive (lively squid) in northwest Kyushu, Japan, is an economically important fish species in the region. However, the total catch of this species in Japan has declined by more than 80% in the last three decades. To understand and predict the spatio‐temporal distribution of fish species, we developed a one‐dimensional ecosystem (NPZD) model and a habitat suitability index (HSI) model for southwest Iki Island, northwest Kyushu, Japan. Subsequently, we conducted three numerical experiments with the HSI model, with and without the NPZD model data (with the NPZD model data: phytoplankton or zooplankton concentrations, without the NPZD model data: only the physical data of the ocean). In the HSI model with zooplankton concentrations, we found a stronger positive relationship between the HSI model values and the daily fisheries catch data of U. edulis than that using only the physical variables of the ocean as the environmental parameters. Our study thus indicates that the performance of the fishing ground prediction model will improve by utilizing the lower trophic ecosystem model such as zooplankton concentrations. Furthermore, our results would provide important implications for the efficiency of fishing operations and the conservation and management of this species.