Hydrographic conditions and size-fractionated mesoplankton distribution in the Bay of Biscay shelf during spring

A general description of the hydrography and the distribution of size-fractionated mesoplankton bio-volume in the Bay of Biscay shelf (from 41° up to 47° 30’ N) during spring (April-May) 2005 is presented. Different hydrographic features, such as the Iberian Poleward Current, continental inputs and...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Planque, Benjamín, González-Nuevo, Gonzalo, Dupont, Nicolas, Nogueira, Enrique
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2006
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/321754
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/321754
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Medio Marino
Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo
Biomass
Mesozooplancton
Zooplankton
Bay of Biscay
Size structure
Pareto
LOPC
Descripción
Sumario:A general description of the hydrography and the distribution of size-fractionated mesoplankton bio-volume in the Bay of Biscay shelf (from 41° up to 47° 30’ N) during spring (April-May) 2005 is presented. Different hydrographic features, such as the Iberian Poleward Current, continental inputs and associated river plumes, thermohaline fronts or the progression of the seasonal thermocline, were noticeable. Mesoplankton biomass was generally low, except in a narrow coastal fringe along the Spanish shelf and in a relatively extensive area in the inner part of the French shelf, where the seasonal thermocline was already established. The size-structure of the mesoplankton community presented a patchy distribution and significant differences between the surface and sub-surface layers of the water column. The size-fractionated distribution of mesoplankton is discussed in the frame of the observed hydrographic structures.