A novel approach reveals high zooplankton standing stock deep in the sea
In a changing ocean there is a critical need to understand global biogeochemical cycling, particularly regarding carbon. We have made strides in understanding upper ocean dynamics, but the deep ocean interior (> 1000 m) is still largely unknown, despite representing the overwhelming major...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2016-11-01
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| Series: | Biogeosciences |
| Online Access: | https://www.biogeosciences.net/13/6261/2016/bg-13-6261-2016.pdf |
| Summary: | In a changing ocean there is a critical need to understand global
biogeochemical cycling, particularly regarding carbon. We have made strides
in understanding upper ocean dynamics, but the deep ocean interior
(> 1000 m) is still largely unknown, despite representing the
overwhelming majority of Earth's biosphere. Here we present a method for
estimating deep-pelagic zooplankton biomass on an ocean-basin scale. We have
made several new discoveries about the Atlantic, which likely apply to the
world ocean. First, multivariate analysis showed that depth and Chl were
the basic factors affecting the wet biomass of the main plankton groups. Wet
biomass of all major groups was significantly correlated with Chl. Second,
zooplankton biomass in the upper bathypelagic domain is higher than
expected. Third, the majority of this biomass comprises macroplanktonic
shrimps, which have been historically underestimated. These findings, coupled
with recent findings of increased global deep-pelagic fish biomass, suggest
that the contribution of the deep-ocean pelagic fauna for biogeochemical
cycles may be more important than previously thought. |
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| ISSN: | 1726-4170 1726-4189 |