Award Abstract # 9310591
Collaborative Research: JGOFS (Arabian Sea): Effects of the Oxygen Minimum Zone on Mesozooplankton Distributions and Food Webs

NSF Org: OCE
Division Of Ocean Sciences
Recipient: UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
Initial Amendment Date: October 31, 1994
Latest Amendment Date: October 21, 1996
Award Number: 9310591
Award Instrument: Continuing Grant
Program Manager: Phillip R. Taylor
OCE
 Division Of Ocean Sciences
GEO
 Directorate For Geosciences
Start Date: November 15, 1994
End Date: October 31, 1998 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $385,015.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $385,015.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 1995 = $155,004.00
FY 1996 = $130,008.00

FY 1997 = $100,003.00
History of Investigator:
  • Karen Wishner (Principal Investigator)
    kwishner@uri.edu
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: University of Rhode Island
75 LOWER COLLEGE RD RM 103
KINGSTON
RI  US  02881-1974
(401)874-2635
Sponsor Congressional District: 02
Primary Place of Performance: University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography
South Ferry Road
Narragansett
RI  US  02882
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
02
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): CJDNG9D14MW7
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY
Primary Program Source:
Program Reference Code(s): 1315, EGCH
Program Element Code(s): 1650
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.050

ABSTRACT

9310591 Wisher This research, part of the Joint Gobal Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) of the Arabian Sea, addresses the question of whether the widespread suboxic conditions below the euphotic zone in the Arabian Sea restrict carbon cycling by metazoans primarily to regions above and below the oxygen minimum zone and whether this results in elevated carbon concentrations (in the form of plankton biomass) at depth. This project has two foci: (1) the measurement of mesozooplankton distributions and size-fractionated biomass in vertical strata to the deep sea, with particular attention to the oxygen minimum zone and its upper and lower interfaces, and (2) examination of oxygen minimum zone effects on zooplankton trophic relationships, including the potential zooplankton-bacteria link. Vertically stratified zooplankton samples down to 3500 m will be taken during four seasons with a MOCNESS plankton net system day and night at the four intensive JGOFS stations and at intervals along transects between the stations for the determination of mesozooplankton distributions and size-fractionated biomass. Gut contents of zooplankton will be analyzed by transmission electron microscopy for determination of trophic webs. The potential bacteria-zooplankton link will be investigated further with the use of molecular probes. The upper and lower interfaces of the oxygen minimum zone, which may be locations of high zooplankton and particle abundances and intense processing of organic material, will be specially targetted for studies of distributions and food webs. Low mesozooplankton abundances within the oxygen minimum zone may contribute to enhanced fluxes of organic materials to the sea floor, because the utilization of particulate material in midwater by these detritivores would be reduced. High mesozooplankton abundances and a short food chain (bacteria to zooplankton) at the oxygen minimum zone interfaces would suggest intense processing of organic material localiz ed within a narrow depth window, possibly acting as a filter for sinking particles. This work will help elucidate how organic material may be altered during passage through the water column to the sea floor. It will contribute to understanding how the seasonal monsoom cycle of the Arabian Sea and resultant productivity peaks are coupled to carbon fluxes and deposition and may provide some analogies for predicting effects of climate change.

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