Zooplankton around Marion and Prince Edward Islands; 24 March 1976 to 25 November 1976 (NODC Accession 0000940)

Samples of zooplankton taken at 12 stations around Marion and Prince Edward Islands (47oS - 35oE) in March 1976 from the 'Marion-Dufresne' and at 2 stations in the same area in November 1976 from the 'R.S.A.' have been studied. Twenty species of Copepoda and a number of other organisms are recorded. The copepod community represented is Antarctic rather than sub-antarctic in character in some respects. It is suggested that this peculiar species composition may result from the upwelling of water from deeper levels in the lee of the islands. The greatest numbers of organisms per cubic meter of water is recorded in areas between 100 and 175 meters deep. Some species show evidence of vertical migration. Zooplankton biomass ranged from 8.7 to 34.9 mg/m3 with a mean of 18.3 mg/m3 for vertical hauls ranging from 30-0 m to 300-0 m with a 50 cm diameter WP II net.