Zooglider Reveals the Importance of Marine Snow, Small Particles, and Body Size to Planktonic Trophic Interactions

Zooglider Reveals the Importance of Marine Snow, Small Particles, and Body Size to Planktonic Trophic Interactions PDF Author: Benjamin Michael Whitmore
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 172

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Book Description
Conventional sampling systems (nets, pumps, acoustics, and most optical imaging systems) are inadequate to study planktonic trophic interactions. However, Zooglider, a novel endurance zooplankton sensing glider, is shown here to be uniquely capable of resolving planktonic trophic interactions at 5 cm vertical resolution. In March 2017, Zooglider's optical (Zoocam) and acoustic backscatter (Zonar) systems were compared against conventional ship-based nets (MOCNESS) and acoustics (EK80). Zoocam observed similar abundances of robust organisms (chaetognaths, euphausiids, and nauplii) and greater abundances of both smaller and more delicate zooplankton. Compared to the MOCNESS, Zoocam observed significantly more smaller appendicularia and copepods, while simultaneously observing significantly more larger gelatinous predators (ctenophora and hydromedusae) and mineralized protists (foraminifera, phaeodaria, and mostly acantharia). Furthermore, Zoocam revealed in situ local maxima in organismal abundances that were not resolvable by the coarser net resolution. Zonar matched the relative distributions and magnitude of ship-based acoustics, without the disadvantage of reduced signal-to-noise ratios in deeper depths. From seven deployments spanning 15 months, Zooglider revealed the limitations of solely using chlorophyll-a fluorescence (Chl-a) as a proxy for herbivorous zooplankton prey. Zoocam observed that marine snow, small particles, and many zooplankton taxa, i.e., appendicularians, copepods, and large mineralized protists (primarily acantharia), have bilinear and nonlinear relationships with Chl-a concentrations. In most cases, zooplankton showed improved overlap with distributions of small suspended particles than with Chl-a. Furthermore, marine snow and small particles were determined to be the primary explanatory variables for zooplankton abundances, whereas Chl-a was either secondary or insignificant. No relationship was found between maximum water column stability and zooplankton or prey abundances. Zooglider also detected size-dependent zooplankton predator-prey interactions. Size-dependent vertical distributions were found for three prey taxa and five predatory taxa and differential size-dependent diel vertical migration behavior was detected for copepods and chaetognaths. Zoocam images showed in situ predator-prey encounters (co-occurrence of predator and prey within a 250 mL sample volume). Analysis of these encounters revealed that abundances of smaller predatory zooplankton (chaetognaths, ctenophores, siphonophores, and trachymedusae) have stronger relationships with abundances of smaller prey and that smaller predators have greater observed probabilities of encountering smaller prey.

Zooglider Reveals the Importance of Marine Snow, Small Particles, and Body Size to Planktonic Trophic Interactions

Zooglider Reveals the Importance of Marine Snow, Small Particles, and Body Size to Planktonic Trophic Interactions PDF Author: Benjamin Michael Whitmore
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 172

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Book Description
Conventional sampling systems (nets, pumps, acoustics, and most optical imaging systems) are inadequate to study planktonic trophic interactions. However, Zooglider, a novel endurance zooplankton sensing glider, is shown here to be uniquely capable of resolving planktonic trophic interactions at 5 cm vertical resolution. In March 2017, Zooglider's optical (Zoocam) and acoustic backscatter (Zonar) systems were compared against conventional ship-based nets (MOCNESS) and acoustics (EK80). Zoocam observed similar abundances of robust organisms (chaetognaths, euphausiids, and nauplii) and greater abundances of both smaller and more delicate zooplankton. Compared to the MOCNESS, Zoocam observed significantly more smaller appendicularia and copepods, while simultaneously observing significantly more larger gelatinous predators (ctenophora and hydromedusae) and mineralized protists (foraminifera, phaeodaria, and mostly acantharia). Furthermore, Zoocam revealed in situ local maxima in organismal abundances that were not resolvable by the coarser net resolution. Zonar matched the relative distributions and magnitude of ship-based acoustics, without the disadvantage of reduced signal-to-noise ratios in deeper depths. From seven deployments spanning 15 months, Zooglider revealed the limitations of solely using chlorophyll-a fluorescence (Chl-a) as a proxy for herbivorous zooplankton prey. Zoocam observed that marine snow, small particles, and many zooplankton taxa, i.e., appendicularians, copepods, and large mineralized protists (primarily acantharia), have bilinear and nonlinear relationships with Chl-a concentrations. In most cases, zooplankton showed improved overlap with distributions of small suspended particles than with Chl-a. Furthermore, marine snow and small particles were determined to be the primary explanatory variables for zooplankton abundances, whereas Chl-a was either secondary or insignificant. No relationship was found between maximum water column stability and zooplankton or prey abundances. Zooglider also detected size-dependent zooplankton predator-prey interactions. Size-dependent vertical distributions were found for three prey taxa and five predatory taxa and differential size-dependent diel vertical migration behavior was detected for copepods and chaetognaths. Zoocam images showed in situ predator-prey encounters (co-occurrence of predator and prey within a 250 mL sample volume). Analysis of these encounters revealed that abundances of smaller predatory zooplankton (chaetognaths, ctenophores, siphonophores, and trachymedusae) have stronger relationships with abundances of smaller prey and that smaller predators have greater observed probabilities of encountering smaller prey.

Diel Vertical Migration of Zooplankton in Lakes and Oceans

Diel Vertical Migration of Zooplankton in Lakes and Oceans PDF Author: Joop Ringelberg
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 904813093X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 360

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Book Description
Whatever theory may be advanced to explain diurnal migration, the underlying reactions involved must be demonstrated conc- sively in the laboratory before the explanation can be ?nally accepted George L. Clarke 1933 p. 434 In oceans and lakes, zooplankton often make diel vertical migrations (DVM), descending at dawn and coming up again in late afternoon and evening. The small animals cover distances of 10–40 m in lakes or even a few hundred metres in the open oceans. Although not as spectacular as migrations of birds or the massive movements of large mammals over the African savannas, the numbers involved are very large and the biomass exceed the bulk of the African herds. For example, in the Antarctic oceans swarms of “Krill” may cover kilometres across, with thousands of individuals per cubic metre. These Euphausiids are food for whales, the most bulky animals on earth. Zooplankton are key species in the pelagic food web, intermediary between algae and ?sh, and thus essential for the functioning of the pelagic community. Prey for many, they have evolved diverse strategies of survival and DVM is the most imp- tant one. Most ?sh are visually hunting predators and need a high light intensity to detect the often transparent animals. By moving down, the well-lit surface layers are avoided but they have to come up again at night to feed on algae.

The Effect of Marine Snow Particle Distribution on the Foraging Behavior of Calanus Pacificus

The Effect of Marine Snow Particle Distribution on the Foraging Behavior of Calanus Pacificus PDF Author: Elena Clara Beckhaus
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Carbon cycle (Biogeochemistry)
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Marine snow is a major component of the biological pump, through which carbon is exported to the deep ocean. The sinking of marine snow can be disrupted by organisms, including many species of zooplankton that ingest or break up aggregates. These processes can have important impacts on planktonic food web dynamics and carbon export. Marine snow can have vertically patchy distributions, occurring in thin layers, which may further affect interactions with zooplankton. In this lab-based study, we examined how the presence of a marine snow layer affects copepod behavior and ingestion. We conducted a series of experiments in which copepods of the species Calanus pacificus were exposed to four different feeding environments: a layer of marine snow, a homogenous distribution of marine snow, and two control treatments without marine snow - one with a density gradient and one without a density gradient. Copepod behavior was recorded with two cameras that were set up perpendicular to one another, imaging neighboring sides of the tank. We were able to reconstruct 2D and 3D copepod tracks, allowing us to compare copepod vertical distributions and calculate copepod swimming velocity, jump frequency, and path linearity. Copepod gut fluorescence was measured after the experiments to determine differences in ingestion between treatments. Gut content analysis showed that copepods did ingest marine snow when exposed to the layer and homogenous distributions of aggregates, with potentially higher ingestion seen in the layer treatment. Behavioral analyses show significantly higher residence time of copepods in the middle of the tanks (where the marine snow layer and density gradient were located) in the layer treatment and control with gradient treatment, with substantially higher jump frequency and substantially lower vertical velocity also seen in this region for those two treatments. These findings suggest that marine snow layers may represent regions of enhanced zooplankton foraging, providing insight into how these interactions can influence particle flux.

You Eat what You Need

You Eat what You Need PDF Author: Cédric Meunier
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
As zooplankters are often exposed to variations of food quality and quantity, they must have acquired means to handle these fluctuations. I showed that copepods' developmental stages select for prey rich in the nutrient they need the most (P for nauplii and N for copepodites). Further, I highlighted that dinoflagellates select for P-rich algal cells to sustain their fast growth. Plankters are able to select their prey based on several parameters but very little is known on the impact of prey swimming speed and behaviour. I identified that algal swimming speed is species-specific and that P-limitation strongly impacts motility. These results allow a better understanding of the importance of nutrient supply rates and ratios and increase our predictive ability on the impact of altered marine biogeochemistry on coastal food webs. engl.

Challenges and Innovations in Ocean In Situ Sensors

Challenges and Innovations in Ocean In Situ Sensors PDF Author: Eric Delory
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0128098872
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 410

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Book Description
Challenges and Innovations in Ocean In-Situ Sensors: Measuring Inner Ocean Processes and Health in the Digital Age highlights collaborations of industry and academia in identifying the key challenges and solutions related to ocean observations. A new generation of sensors is presented that addresses the need for higher reliability (e.g. against biofouling), better integration on platforms in terms of size and communication, and data flow across domains (in-situ, space, etc.). Several developments are showcased using a broad diversity of measuring techniques and technologies. Chapters address different sensors and approaches for measurements, including applications, quality monitoring and initiatives that will guide the need for monitoring. Integrates information across key marine and maritime sectors and supports regional policy requirements on monitoring programs Offers tactics for enabling early detection and more effective monitoring of the marine environment and implementation of appropriate management actions Presents new technologies driving the next generation of sensors, allowing readers to understand new capabilities for monitoring and opportunities for another generation of sensors Includes a global vision for ocean monitoring that fosters a new perspective on the direction of ocean measurements

The Spatial Distribution of Microbes in the Environment

The Spatial Distribution of Microbes in the Environment PDF Author: Rima Franklin
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1402062168
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 339

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Book Description
This volume highlights recent advances that have contributed to our understanding of spatial patterns and scale issues in microbial ecology. The book brings together research conducted at a range of spatial scales (from μm to km) and in a variety of different types of environments. These topics are addressed in a quantitative manner, and a primer on statistical methods is included. In soil ecosystems, both bacteria and fungi are discussed.

Getting Started with TEOS-10 and the Gibbs Seawater (GSW) Oceanographic Toolbox

Getting Started with TEOS-10 and the Gibbs Seawater (GSW) Oceanographic Toolbox PDF Author: Trevor J. McDougall
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780646556215
Category : Seawater
Languages : en
Pages : 28

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Book Description


A Mechanistic Approach to Plankton Ecology

A Mechanistic Approach to Plankton Ecology PDF Author: Thomas Kiørboe
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691190313
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 228

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Book Description
The three main missions of any organism--growing, reproducing, and surviving--depend on encounters with food and mates, and on avoiding encounters with predators. Through natural selection, the behavior and ecology of plankton organisms have evolved to optimize these tasks. This book offers a mechanistic approach to the study of ocean ecology by exploring biological interactions in plankton at the individual level. The book focuses on encounter mechanisms, since the pace of life in the ocean intimately relates to the rate at which encounters happen. Thomas Kiørboe examines the life and interactions of plankton organisms with the larger aim of understanding marine pelagic food webs. He looks at plankton ecology and behavior in the context of the organisms' immediate physical and chemical habitats. He shows that the nutrient uptake, feeding rates, motility patterns, signal transmissions, and perception of plankton are all constrained by nonintuitive interactions between organism biology and small-scale physical and chemical characteristics of the three-dimensional fluid environment. Most of the book's chapters consist of a theoretical introduction followed by examples of how the theory might be applied to real-world problems. In the final chapters, mechanistic insights of individual-level processes help to describe broader population dynamics and pelagic food web structure and function.

The Second SeaWiFS HPLC Analysis Round-robin Experiment (SeaHARRE-2)

The Second SeaWiFS HPLC Analysis Round-robin Experiment (SeaHARRE-2) PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Chlorophyll
Languages : en
Pages : 124

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Book Description


Aquatic Organic Matter Fluorescence

Aquatic Organic Matter Fluorescence PDF Author: Paula G. Coble
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 0521764610
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 407

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Book Description
A core text on principles, laboratory/field methodologies, and data interpretation for fluorescence applications in aquatic science, for advanced students and researchers.