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Modelling the influence of copepod behaviour on faecal pellet export at high latitudes

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Abstract

The contribution of faecal pellet (FP) production by zooplankton to the downward flux of particulate organic carbon (POC) can vary from <1 % to more than 90 % of total POC. This results from varying degrees of interception and consumption, and hence recycling, of FPs by zooplankton in the upper mixed layers, and the active transport of FP to depth via diel vertical migration (VM) of zooplankton. During mid-summer at high latitudes, synchronised diel VM ceases, but individual zooplankton may continue to make forays into and out of the surface layers. This study considers the relative importance of different VM behaviours on FP export at high latitudes. We focussed on copepods and parameterised an individual-based model using empirical measures of phytoplankton vertical distribution and the rate of FP production, as a function of food availability. FP production was estimated under three different behaviours common to high-latitude environments (1) no VM, (2) foray-type behaviour and (3) synchronised diel VM. Simulations were also made of how each of these behaviours would be observed by an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP). The model found that the type of copepod behaviour made a substantial difference to the level of FP export to depth. In the absence of VM, all FPs were produced above 50 m, where the probability of eventual export to depth was low. In foray-type scenarios, FP production occurred between 0 and 80 m, although the majority occurred between 30 and 70 m depth. Greatest FP production in the deeper layers (>70 m) occurred when diel VM took place. Simulated ADCP vertical velocity fields from the foray-type scenario resembled field observations, particularly with regard to the occurrence of positive anomalies in deeper waters and negative anomalies in shallower waters. The model illustrates that active vertical flux of zooplankton FP can occur at high latitudes even when no synchronised VM is taking place.

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Acknowledgments

The analysis was funded under a Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Strategic Ocean Funding Initiative (SOFI) grant (NE/F012381/1) to Andrew S. Brierley, Geraint A. Tarling and Finlo R. Cottier, in partnership with Jørgen Berge at the University of Norway in Svalbard (UNIS). GAT was further supported by the Ecosystems Core programme at British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council. FRC was also further supported through the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) grant NE/H012524/1.

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  1. M. I. Wallace

    Present address: Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Bremner House, The Castle Business Park, Stirling, FK9 4TF, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife, UK

    M. I. Wallace & A. S. Brierley

  2. Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, Argyll, UK

    F. R. Cottier

  3. British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Cambridge, UK

    G. A. Tarling

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  1. M. I. Wallace
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  2. F. R. Cottier
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  3. A. S. Brierley
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  4. G. A. Tarling
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Correspondence to G. A. Tarling.

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Wallace, M.I., Cottier, F.R., Brierley, A.S. et al. Modelling the influence of copepod behaviour on faecal pellet export at high latitudes. Polar Biol 36, 579–592 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-013-1287-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-013-1287-7

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