The spatial distribution of plankton communities in a Slope Water anticyclonic Oceanic eDDY (SWODDY) in the southern Bay of Biscay

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 501-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilio Fernández ◽  
Florentina Álvarez ◽  
Ricardo Anadón ◽  
Susana Barquero ◽  
Antonio Bode ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Size Structure ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Bay Of Biscay ◽  
Pelagic Ecosystem ◽  
Oceanic Eddy ◽  
Oceanic Eddies ◽  
Planktonic Community ◽  
Water Parcel ◽  
Plankton Communities

Slope Water anticyclonic Oceanic eDDIES (SWODDIES) are typical mesoscale features of open-ocean waters of the southern Bay of Biscay which usually develop in winter by shedding from the seasonal poleward current flowing along the northern Spanish slope. These eddies have been intensively studied from the physical perspective. However, their effect on the distribution of biological properties and on the functioning of the pelagic ecosystem has not been assessed so far. To this aim, a sea-truth, multidisciplinary and comprehensive study of a SWODDY was carried out in summer 1998. The eddy, radius of ≈50 km, was initially centred at 45·5°N 6·0°W, being characterized by a relatively homogeneous core of water in the centre of the eddy extending from 80 to about 200 dbar. In the central region of the core, temperature (12·55–12·75°C) and salinity (≈35·70) values were higher than outside the eddy. The optical properties of the eddy also differed from those of the surrounding waters. A distinct biological signature was found associated with the eddy. Depth-integrated chlorophyll-a concentrations were 25% higher at the eddy centre where upward doming of the seasonal pycnocline (up to 30 dbar) occurred. Enhanced phytoplankton biomass was related to a higher contribution of >10 μm cells, mainly represented by diatoms and chrysophyceans. Phytoplankton and mesozooplankton species composition in and outside the eddy differed significantly reflecting the coastal origin of the water parcel trapped by the eddy. The sharp modification of the planktonic community composition, biomass and associated size-structure caused by slope water oceanic eddies are likely to exert a significant effect upon the upper trophic levels of the pelagic ecosystem of the southern Bay of Biscay.

scholarly journals Springtime zooplankton size structure over the continental shelf of the Bay of Biscay

Ocean Science ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 821-835 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Vandromme ◽  
E. Nogueira ◽  
M. Huret ◽  
Á. Lopez-Urrutia ◽  
G. González-Nuevo González ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Equivalent Diameter ◽  
Bay Of Biscay ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Extensive Data ◽  
Zooplankton Size

Abstract. Linking lower and higher trophic levels requires special focus on the essential role played by mid-trophic levels, i.e., the zooplankton. One of the most relevant pieces of information regarding zooplankton in terms of flux of energy lies in its size structure. In this study, an extensive data set of size measurements is presented, covering parts of the western European continental shelf and slope, from the Galician coast to the Ushant front, during the springs from 2005 to 2012. Zooplankton size spectra were estimated using measurements carried out in situ with the Laser Optical Plankton Counter (LOPC) and with an image analysis of WP2 net samples (200 μm mesh size) performed following the ZooScan methodology. The LOPC counts and sizes particles within 100–2000 μm of spherical equivalent diameter (ESD), whereas the WP2/ZooScan allows for counting, sizing and identification of zooplankton from ~ 400 μm ESD. The difference between the LOPC (all particles) and the WP2/ZooScan (zooplankton only) was assumed to provide the size distribution of non-living particles, whose descriptors were related to a set of explanatory variables (including physical, biological and geographic descriptors). A statistical correction based on these explanatory variables was further applied to the LOPC size distribution in order to remove the non-living particles part, and therefore estimate the size distribution of zooplankton. This extensive data set provides relevant information about the zooplankton size distribution variability, productivity and trophic transfer efficiency in the pelagic ecosystem of the Bay of Biscay at a regional and interannual scale.

scholarly journals Spring-time zooplankton size structure over the continental shelf of the Bay of Biscay

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 2207-2254 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Vandromme ◽  
E. Nogueira ◽  
M. Huret ◽  
Á Lopez-Urrutia ◽  
G. González-Nuevo González ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Size Structure ◽  
Mesh Size ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Equivalent Diameter ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Bay Of Biscay ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Size Spectra ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Zooplankton Size

Abstract. Linking lower to higher trophic levels requires a special focus on the pivotal role played by mid-trophic levels, i.e. the zooplankton. One of the most relevant information on zooplankton in term of fluxes of matter lies in its size structure. We present here an extensive dataset of size measurements covering part of the western European shelf and slope, from the Galician coast to the Ushant front, during springs from 2005 to 2012. Zooplankton size spectra were estimated using both measurements carried out in situ by the Laser-Optical Plankton Counter (LOPC, 816 records) and WP2 net (200 μm mesh size) samples scanned following the ZooScan methodology and image analysis (a total of 89 samples were analyzed). The LOPC counts and sizes all particles in the range 100 to 2000 μm of spherical equivalent diameter (ESD) whereas the WP2/ZooScan allows the counting, sizing and identification of zooplankton from ~400 μm ESD. The difference between the LOPC (all particles) and the WP2/ZooScan (zooplankton only) is assumed to provide the size distribution of non-living particles whose descriptors are further related to a set of explanatory variables (including physical, biological and geographic descriptors). A statistical correction based on these explanatory variables is then applied to LOPC measurements to removed the part due to non-living particles and estimate zooplankton size spectra. This extensive data set provides a new look at regional and inter-annual variability of the pelagic ecosystem of the Bay of Biscay.

scholarly journals Satellite-Derived Protein Concentration of Phytoplankton in the Southwestern East/Japan Sea

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 189
Author(s):  
Hyeonji Bae ◽  
Dabin Lee ◽  
Jae Joong Kang ◽  
Jae Hyung Lee ◽  
Naeun Jo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Japan Sea ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Measured Data ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
P Value ◽  
Chl A ◽  
Major Factors

The cellular macromolecular contents and energy value of phytoplankton as primary food source determine the growth of higher trophic levels, affecting the balance and sustainability of oceanic food webs. Especially, proteins are more directly linked with basic functions of phytoplankton biosynthesis and cell division and transferred through the food chains. In recent years, the East/Japan Sea (EJS) has been changed dramatically in environmental conditions, such as physical and chemical characteristics, as well as biological properties. Therefore, developing an algorithm to estimate the protein concentration of phytoplankton and monitor their spatiotemporal variations on a broad scale would be invaluable. To derive the protein concentration of phytoplankton in EJS, the new regional algorithm was developed by using multiple linear regression analyses based on field-measured data which were obtained from 2012 to 2018 in the southwestern EJS. The major factors for the protein concentration were identified as chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and sea surface nitrate (SSN) in the southwestern EJS. The coefficient of determination (r2) between field-measured and algorithm-derived protein concentrations was 0.55, which is rather low but reliable. The satellite-derived estimation generally follows the 1:1 line with the field-measured data, with Pearson’s correlation coefficient, which was 0.40 (p-value < 0.01, n = 135). No remarkable trend in the long-term annual protein concentration of phytoplankton was found in the study area during our observation period. However, some seasonal difference was observed in winter protein concentration between the 2003–2005 and 2017–2019 periods. The algorithm is developed for the regional East/Japan Sea (EJS) and could contribute to long-term monitoring for climate-associated ecosystem changes. For a better understanding of spatiotemporal variation in the protein concentration of phytoplankton in the EJS, this algorithm should be further improved with continuous field surveys.

scholarly journals Distribution of mercury species in different tissues and trophic levels of commonly consumed fish species from the south Bay of Biscay (France)

2021 ◽  
Vol 166 ◽  
pp. 112172
Author(s):  
Tiphaine Mille ◽  
Amaëlle Bisch ◽  
Nathalie Caill-Milly ◽  
Pierre Cresson ◽  
Jonathan Deborde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Mercury Species ◽  
Bay Of Biscay ◽  
The South ◽  
Different Tissues

scholarly journals Links between Phenology of Large Phytoplankton and Fisheries in the Northern and Central Red Sea

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 231
Author(s):  
John A. Gittings ◽  
Dionysios. E. Raitsos ◽  
Robert J. W. Brewin ◽  
Ibrahim Hoteit
Keyword(s):  
Red Sea ◽  
Phytoplankton Bloom ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Cell Diameter ◽  
Food Web Structure ◽  
Marine Management ◽  
Fisheries Resources ◽  
Phytoplankton Size

Phytoplankton phenology and size structure are key ecological indicators that influence the survival and recruitment of higher trophic levels, marine food web structure, and biogeochemical cycling. For example, the presence of larger phytoplankton cells supports food chains that ultimately contribute to fisheries resources. Monitoring these indicators can thus provide important information to help understand the response of marine ecosystems to environmental change. In this study, we apply the phytoplankton size model of Gittings et al. (2019b) to 20-years of satellite-derived ocean colour observations in the northern and central Red Sea, and investigate interannual variability in phenology metrics for large phytoplankton (>2 µm in cell diameter). Large phytoplankton consistently bloom in the winter. However, the timing of bloom initiation and termination (in autumn and spring, respectively) varies between years. In the autumn/winter of 2002/2003, we detected a phytoplankton bloom, which initiated ~8 weeks earlier and lasted ~11 weeks longer than average. The event was linked with an eddy dipole in the central Red Sea, which increased nutrient availability and enhanced the growth of large phytoplankton. The earlier timing of food availability directly impacted the recruitment success of higher trophic levels, as represented by the maximum catch of two commercially important fisheries (Sardinella spp. and Teuthida) in the following year. The results of our analysis are essential for understanding trophic linkages between phytoplankton and fisheries and for marine management strategies in the Red Sea.

Physical forcing and the dynamics of the pelagic ecosystem in the eastern tropical Pacific: simulations with ENSO-scale and global-warming climate drivers

2003 ◽  
Vol 60 (9) ◽  
pp. 1161-1175 ◽  
Author(s):  
George M Watters ◽  
Robert J Olson ◽  
Robert C Francis ◽  
Paul C Fiedler ◽  
Jeffrey J Polovina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Phytoplankton Biomass ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
Tropical Pacific ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Eastern Tropical Pacific ◽  
Ecosystem Models ◽  
Pelagic Ecosystem ◽  
Physical Forcing ◽  
Physical Effects

We used a model of the pelagic ecosystem in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean to explore how climate variation at El Niño – Southern Oscillation (ENSO) scales might affect animals at middle and upper trophic levels. We developed two physical-forcing scenarios: (1) physical effects on phytoplankton biomass and (2) simultaneous physical effects on phytoplankton biomass and predator recruitment. We simulated the effects of climate-anomaly pulses, climate cycles, and global warming. Pulses caused oscillations to propagate through the ecosystem; cycles affected the shapes of these oscillations; and warming caused trends. We concluded that biomass trajectories of single populations at middle and upper trophic levels cannot be used to detect bottom-up effects, that direct physical effects on predator recruitment can be the dominant source of interannual variability in pelagic ecosystems, that such direct effects may dampen top-down control by fisheries, and that predictions about the effects of climate change may be misleading if fishing mortality is not considered. Predictions from ecosystem models are sensitive to the relative strengths of indirect and direct physical effects on middle and upper trophic levels.

scholarly journals Oceanic Eddy Identification Using an AI Scheme

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangjun Xu ◽  
Cheng Cheng ◽  
Wenxian Yang ◽  
Wenhong Xie ◽  
Lingmei Kong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Surface ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Material Transport ◽  
Multi Scale ◽  
The Core ◽  
Phytoplankton Distribution ◽  
Oceanic Eddy ◽  
Oceanic Eddies ◽  
Eddy Detection

Oceanic eddies play an important role in global energy and material transport, and contribute greatly to nutrient and phytoplankton distribution. Deep learning is employed to identify oceanic eddies from sea surface height anomalies data. In order to adapt to segmentation problems for multi-scale oceanic eddies, the pyramid scene parsing network (PSPNet), which is able to satisfy the fusion of semantics and details, is applied as the core algorithm in the eddy detection methods. The results of eddies identified from this artificial intelligence (AI) method are well compared with those from a traditional vector geometry-based (VG) method. More oceanic eddies are detected by the AI algorithm than the VG method, especially for small-scale eddies. Therefore, the present study demonstrates that the AI algorithm is applicable of oceanic eddy detection. It is one of the first few of efforts to bridge AI techniques and oceanography research.

scholarly journals Complex Analyses of Plankton Structure and Function

2001 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 119-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl E. Havens
Keyword(s):  
Size Structure ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Size Spectrum ◽  
Phytoplankton Productivity ◽  
Resource Managers ◽  
Carbon Transfer ◽  
And Function ◽  
Freshwater Plankton ◽  
Plankton Communities

This paper critically evaluates some complex methods that have been used to characterize the structure and function of freshwater plankton communities. The focus is on methods related to plankton size structure and carbon transfer. The specific methods reviewed are 1) size spectrum analysis, 2) size-fractionated phytoplankton productivity, 3) size-fractionated zooplankton grazing, 4) plankton ecological transfer efficiency, and 5) grazer effects on phytoplankton community structure. Taken together, these methods can provide information on community ecological properties that are directly related to practical issues including water quality and fisheries productivity. However, caution is warranted since application without a complete understanding of assumptions and context of the manipulations could lead to erroneous conclusions. As an example, experimental studies involving the addition or removal of zooplankton, especially when coupled with nutrient addition treatments, could provide information on the degree of consumer vs. resource control of phytoplankton. Resource managers subsequently could use this information in developing effective measures for controlling nuisance algal biomass. However, the experiments must be done critically and with sufficient safeguards and other measurements to ensure that treatments (e.g., zooplankton exclosure by screening of water) actually are successful and do not introduce other changes in the community (e.g., removal of large algae). In all of the methods described here, the investigator must take care when generalizing results and, in particular, carry out a sufficient number of replications to encompass both the major seasonal and spatial variation that occurs in the ecosystem.

scholarly journals Shifts in spawning phenology of cod linked to rising sea temperatures

2017 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 1561-1573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate McQueen ◽  
C. Tara Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
North Sea ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Gonadal Development ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Irish Sea ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Sea

AbstractWarming temperatures caused by climate change have the potential to impact spawning phenology of temperate marine fish as some species have temperature-dependent gonadal development. Inter-annual variation in the timing of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) spawning in the northern North Sea, central North Sea and Irish Sea was estimated by calculating an annual peak roe month (PRM) from records of roe landings spanning the last three decades. A trend towards earlier PRM was found in all three regions, with estimates of shifts in PRM ranging from 0.9 to 2.4 weeks per decade. Temperatures experienced by cod during early vitellogenesis correlated negatively with PRM, suggesting that rising sea temperatures have contributed to a shift in spawning phenology. A concurrent reduction in the mean size of spawning females excluded the possibility that earlier spawning was due to a shift in size structure towards larger individuals, as large cod spawn earlier than smaller-sized individuals in the North Sea. Further research into the effects of climate change on the phenology of different trophic levels within the North Sea ecosystem should be undertaken to determine whether climate change-induced shifts in spawning phenology will result in a temporal mismatch between cod larvae and their planktonic prey.

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