Vertical distribution
Lin Yuan-Shao,Cao Wen-Qing and
Guo Dong-Hui
2004,6,3
Chapter 16
This chapter includes there parts of section:
§ 16.1 Vertical distribution in phytoplankton
§ 16.2 Vertical distribution in zooplankton
Vertical distribution in phytoplankton
Studies on the different layers of water shows
much variation in the distribution of the
phytoplankton and it becomes scarce in deep
layers.
Some examples on vertical distribution in
phytoplankton are given bellow.
§ 16.1
Quantitative distribution of coccolithophorids as a function of
depth,in May 1901,Mediterranean
N o, ( c e l l / L )
0 1000 2000 3000 4000
0
- 2 0
- 5 0
- 7 7
- 1 5 5
- 2 3 0
- 4 3 1
- 6 3 1
D
e
p
t
h
(
m
)
In this example the coccolithophores,which become rare below 100m,
disappear completely at more than 500m depth,
Vertical distribution of the five most abundant species of
phytoplankton at Crawford,NY,1960
Vertical distribution of chlorophyll a (shaded) and density
(dashed) of phaeophytin in Japan,132oE)
Nutrient vertical distribution in Atlantic,Indian
and Pacific Oceans
From the examples above,we can see:
phytoplankton must have adequate light for photosynthesis and can
develop only in the upper layers (photic zone).
Phytoplankton is not most abundant in the superficial water,where light
intensity is greatest.
Many of the phytoplanktonic organisms,particularly diatoms cannot move
independently and so tend to sink,Those with a high density will,
therefore,remain below the level of high production.
Photosynthesis requires an optimal light intensity,The light intensity at
superficial layer may have strongly light,and UV (ultra-violet) may
damage some biological molecules and affect the process of
photosynthesis.
Vertical distribution in zooplankton
The distribution of the Euphausiacea in the North
Atlantic sets an excellent example of vertical
distribution in zooplankton.
§ 16.2
Schematic representation of the vertical and horizontal
distribution of a North Atlantic Enphausiid,on a north-south
section passing by iceland
The copepod,Anomalocera
patersoni,is found in the
first meter under the surface.
The copepod may be very
much reduced,as is the case
with elements which belong
to the pleuston and the
hyponeuston
Vertical distribution of the
zooplankton biomass in
coast of Frence.
(1,Spring; 2,Summer)
may be expressed by a logarithmic relation.
Log y = a – kz
When y is the biomass (in wet weight) z is the depth,a is a
constant and k is a coefficient of decrease,
on a natural basis this gives (a = log a’)
y = a’ e –kz
in the region of the abyssal of the Kurile and Kamchatka Trenches,the biomass is several
hundreds of mg/m3 at surface,but only tenths (1/10) of a mg/m3 at a
depth of 7000-8000m,and the changes are represented by the
following equation:
Y = 56.2 e -0.00065z
Relationship between zooplankton biomass
and depth
A general vertical change in the plankton biomass from north to south of
the Pacific Ocean,with poverty in the tropical water at all levels as
distinct from the richness beyond 40oN and 40oS
Lin Yuan-Shao,Cao Wen-Qing and
Guo Dong-Hui
2004,6,3
Chapter 16
This chapter includes there parts of section:
§ 16.1 Vertical distribution in phytoplankton
§ 16.2 Vertical distribution in zooplankton
Vertical distribution in phytoplankton
Studies on the different layers of water shows
much variation in the distribution of the
phytoplankton and it becomes scarce in deep
layers.
Some examples on vertical distribution in
phytoplankton are given bellow.
§ 16.1
Quantitative distribution of coccolithophorids as a function of
depth,in May 1901,Mediterranean
N o, ( c e l l / L )
0 1000 2000 3000 4000
0
- 2 0
- 5 0
- 7 7
- 1 5 5
- 2 3 0
- 4 3 1
- 6 3 1
D
e
p
t
h
(
m
)
In this example the coccolithophores,which become rare below 100m,
disappear completely at more than 500m depth,
Vertical distribution of the five most abundant species of
phytoplankton at Crawford,NY,1960
Vertical distribution of chlorophyll a (shaded) and density
(dashed) of phaeophytin in Japan,132oE)
Nutrient vertical distribution in Atlantic,Indian
and Pacific Oceans
From the examples above,we can see:
phytoplankton must have adequate light for photosynthesis and can
develop only in the upper layers (photic zone).
Phytoplankton is not most abundant in the superficial water,where light
intensity is greatest.
Many of the phytoplanktonic organisms,particularly diatoms cannot move
independently and so tend to sink,Those with a high density will,
therefore,remain below the level of high production.
Photosynthesis requires an optimal light intensity,The light intensity at
superficial layer may have strongly light,and UV (ultra-violet) may
damage some biological molecules and affect the process of
photosynthesis.
Vertical distribution in zooplankton
The distribution of the Euphausiacea in the North
Atlantic sets an excellent example of vertical
distribution in zooplankton.
§ 16.2
Schematic representation of the vertical and horizontal
distribution of a North Atlantic Enphausiid,on a north-south
section passing by iceland
The copepod,Anomalocera
patersoni,is found in the
first meter under the surface.
The copepod may be very
much reduced,as is the case
with elements which belong
to the pleuston and the
hyponeuston
Vertical distribution of the
zooplankton biomass in
coast of Frence.
(1,Spring; 2,Summer)
may be expressed by a logarithmic relation.
Log y = a – kz
When y is the biomass (in wet weight) z is the depth,a is a
constant and k is a coefficient of decrease,
on a natural basis this gives (a = log a’)
y = a’ e –kz
in the region of the abyssal of the Kurile and Kamchatka Trenches,the biomass is several
hundreds of mg/m3 at surface,but only tenths (1/10) of a mg/m3 at a
depth of 7000-8000m,and the changes are represented by the
following equation:
Y = 56.2 e -0.00065z
Relationship between zooplankton biomass
and depth
A general vertical change in the plankton biomass from north to south of
the Pacific Ocean,with poverty in the tropical water at all levels as
distinct from the richness beyond 40oN and 40oS
