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Mass occurrence of Salpa fusiformis in the spring of 1984 off Ireland: implications for sedimentation processes

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Abstract

Zooplankton species composition and biomass were investigated during the spring of 1984 in three areas west of Ireland. In general, biomass of the gelatinous zooplankters [Salpa fusiformis (Cuvier) forma gregata and solitaria, Cymbulia sp., Euclio sp.; max. 360 mg Cm-3] exceeded that of other zooplankton namely copepods (max. 70 mg C m-3). Feeding by salps in the upper layers of all areas during the observed diatom spring bloom resulted in sedimentation of diatom-rich salp fecal pellets. This process ended the diatom spring bloom prior to nutrient depletion in surface waters and, thus, prior to mass sedimentation of algal cells.

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  1. Institut für Meereskunde an der Universität Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, D-2300, Kiel 1, Federal Republic of Germany

    U. V. Bathmann

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Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe

Publication No. 17 of the SFB 313 at Kiel University

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Bathmann, U.V. Mass occurrence of Salpa fusiformis in the spring of 1984 off Ireland: implications for sedimentation processes. Mar. Biol. 97, 127–135 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391252

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