Spatial and temporal variations of mesozooplankton in the Pearl River estuary, China

This paper examines spatial and temporal variations of mesozooplankton abundance, biomass and community structure during three cruises of July 2002 (summer), January 2003 (winter), and April 2003 (spring) in the Pearl River estuary, China. Zooplankton abundance and biomass fluctuated widely and showed distinct heterogeneity in the Pearl River estuary. A total of 154 species were identified during three surveys. The number of zooplankton species richness was strongly linked to salinity. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified three zooplankton groups during this study. Estuarine, neritic and pelagic groups corresponded to the upper, middle and lower reaches in the Pearl River estuary. The difference among groups could be mainly ascribed to changes in the relative contributions of the dominant species. The fluctuations in the zooplankton abundance, biomass and community structure were determined by the interactive effects of freshwater inflow, tidal and coastal currents, chlorophyll a, salinity and temperature. Significant spatial variability in the distribution of zooplankton species, abundance and biomass can be ascribed to the virtual presence of a horizontal gradient in salinity.     

Tidal,diel and semi-lunar changes in the faunal assemblage of an intertidal salt marsh creek

The utilisation of a brackish estuarine marsh by nekton was investigated over a semi-lunar cycle in August 1994. Nekton migrating in and out of the intertidal creeks of the marsh ‘Het Verdronken Land van Saeftinghe’ in the Westerschelde estuary, SW Netherlands, was sampled passively during seven complete tidal cycles. Sampling one tidal cycle yielded three consecutive flood samples and four consecutive ebb samples. Sampling occurred every 2–3 days, covering diel, tidal and semi-lunar situations, thus allowing comparison of tidal, diel and semi-lunar influences on the composition of the intertidal fauna.Two different tidal-migration modes were observed. The mysid shrimp, Mesopodopsis slabberi, showed maximum abundance around high tide. For the remaining common species, the mysid (Neomysis integer), the shrimp (Palaemonetes varians), the crab (Carcinus maenas) and the goby (Pomatoschistus microps) and the amphipod (Corophium volutator), highest densities were recorded during lower water heights. The faunal assemblage shifts between the different tidal stages.On two occasions, consecutive day and night samples were taken. Total densities were higher during the night samples. During spring tide, difference in community composition was noticed between the night and the day samples. During neap tide, day–night differences were less clear. Recorded total densities were highest during spring tide and lowest during neap tide. At maximum water levels, a drop in total density was observed. A shift in community composition occurred between spring and neap tides.     

Influences of diel and tidal cycles on fish assemblage in eelgrass (Zostera marina) bed of southern Korea during autumn

Short-term tidal and diel variations of autumn fish assemblage in a Zostera marina bed were investigated using 3 h interval samplings for 24 h in both spring and neap tide using a small beam trawl. A total of 1 346 fishes belonging to 19 species were collected at spring tide, whereas 1 115 fishes belonging to 17 species were at neap tide. The common fish species were Nuchequula nuchalis, Acanthogobius flavimanus, Takifugu niphobles, Acentrogobius pflaumii, and Pholis nebulosa with the former three species dominating at spring tide, while the latter two species being abundant at neap tide. Diel variation in abundance was significant with higher abundance at night than day, but there were no significant differences between spring and neap tides, and between ebb and flood tides (three-way ANOVAs). Diel variation in the abundance of fishes may be influenced by tidal range and cycle, and day-night differences of food availability and behaviors of fishes indirectly. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) ordination and analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) results revealed significant differences in species compositions both between day and night, and between spring and neap tide. Eelgrass beds are highly productive marine ecosystem, and thus, our results will contribute to conservation of seagrass ecosystem in the study area.     

Numerical simulation of tidally induced eddies in the Bungo Channel: A possible role for sporadic Kuroshio-water intrusion (kyucho)

It is well known that the sudden intrusion of Kuroshio warm water into the Bungo Channel (kyucho) is regulated by spring–neap tidal forcing. In order to clarify the physical background behind this regulation, numerical experiments are carried out using a high-resolution non-hydrostatic three-dimensional model. We first reproduce the strong mixing region off the east coast of the Bungo Channel resulting from tidal flow interaction with complicated land configurations during spring tides; behind islands and headlands, small-scale eddies satisfying an approximate cyclostrophic balance are generated. As a result, averaged over the whole model domain, the tidal-mean energy dissipation rate reaches ≈1.6?×?10^?6?W?kg^?1. The model predicted energy dissipation rates at the location and times of direct microstructure measurements in the Bungo Channel are comparable to the observed values. We next examine whether or not strong tidal mixing thus reproduced can inhibit the northward intrusion of Kuroshio warm water in the Bungo Channel. It is shown that the Kuroshio warm water can (or cannot) pass through the tidal mixing regions off the east coast of the Bungo Channel during periods of weakened (or enhanced) tidal mixing at neap (or spring) tides. This indicates that taking into account the realistic spring–neap modulation of tidal mixing intensity is indispensable to further increase the ability of the existing forecast system for kyucho in the Bungo Channel.     

天文大潮对南海北部浮游动物生物量的影响

基于2020年8月至11月在南海北部获取的声学多普勒流速剖面仪观测数据,利用后向散射强度数据估算得到相对体积散射强度并用其表征浮游动物生物量的相对大小,对相对体积散射强度的半月变化与具有半月周期的潮流动能进行相关性分析,进而分析天文大潮对声学估算的浮游动物生物量的影响。结果表明：半月周期的相对体积散射强度与潮流动能之间呈负相关关系,即天文大潮时,潮流动能较强,水体相对体积散射强度较低,浮游动物生物量则较小,天文小潮时则情况相反。初步推测其原因为：天文大潮时,强潮流一方面导致浮游动物生存环境恶化,使其生物量下降,另一方面也改变了浮游动物垂直迁移特性,浮游动物迁移到近海底处使其难以被观测。     

椒江河口层化动力特性研究

基于椒江河口大、小潮期间水位、流速、盐度和悬沙浓度观测数据,研究了椒江河口主潮汐通道的水动力、盐度和悬沙浓度的时空变化特征,解释了高浊度强潮作用下的层化物理机制。椒江河口大潮期悬沙浓度和盐度均大于小潮期,主潮汐通道区域落潮期悬沙浓度大于涨潮期;盐度随潮变化,盐水锋面出现在S2测站,锋面附近出现最大浑浊带;自陆向海,悬沙浓度递减,盐度递增;随水深增加,悬沙浓度与盐度递增。Richardson数与混合参数显示,盐度和悬沙引起的层化现象,是随着潮汐的变化而变化,涨潮时的层化均强于落潮,小潮时的层化持续时间最长,区域更广。混合参数随潮周期变化,大潮期高于临界值1.0,小潮期低于临界值1.0。小潮期水体层化强于大潮期;潮汐应变项是影响势能差异变化率的重要因素;落潮期间层化向混合状态转化,涨潮相反。     

Decreases in turbidity during neap tides initiate late winter blooms of Eucampia zodiacus in a macrotidal embayment

Eucampia zodiacus Ehrenberg is harmful, as it causes reduction in the quality of the aquacultured Porphyra thalli owing to nutrient depletions during dense blooms in the late winter in the macrotidal Ariake Sea, Japan. To understand the mechanism of bloom development, changes in the abundance of E. zodiacus during a bloom were investigated along vessel transects from February to April 2012. In addition, marine environmental variables were continuously monitored by the Ariake Sea Monitoring Tower, which revealed that turbidity periodically decreased during neap tides. During the 16 February neap tide, a high Secchi depth (4.3 m) was recorded at offshore stations and the Z _1% depth, at which the light intensity attenuates to 1 % of that at the sea surface, exceeded the water depth. On 16 February, the abundance of E. zodiacus was 52–732 cells mL^?1, peaking at 7.0 m depth offshore. Subsequently, abundance increased at all stations. During the 22 February spring tide, abundance became vertically uniform. On 19 March, abundance at the tower reached 3758 cells mL^?1 at the surface. We conclude that an improvement in light conditions in the deeper layer triggered the bloom, although the size and the duration of the bloom were determined by nutrient availability. Thus, decreases in turbidity during neap tides and subsequent strong vertical mixing during spring tides may be instrumental in the population dynamics of the large diatom E. zodiacus in macrotidal environments.     

Effects of tidally induced eddies on sporadic Kuroshio-water intrusion (kyucho)

The sudden intrusion of Kuroshio warm water into the Bungo Channel (kyucho) occurs mainly at neap tides during summer, suggesting that tidal mixing is one of the essential factors regulating kyucho. In order to clarify the physical mechanisms responsible for the regulation of kyucho, we carry out non-hydrostatic three-dimensional numerical experiments allowing Kuroshio warm water to intrude into a strong tidal mixing region. It is shown that the Kuroshio warm water can (or cannot) pass through the tidal mixing regions off the east coast of the Bungo Channel during neap (or spring) tides. The analysis of the dynamic balance off the east coast of the Bungo Channel shows that tidal residual currents generated by tidal flow interaction with complicated land configurations off the east coast of the Bungo Channel can also play an important role in regulating kyucho. In order to assess separately the effects of tidal mixing and tidal residual currents on kyucho, we incorporate the parameterized vertical mixing and tidal stresses into the numerical model instead of tidal currents. It is demonstrated that tidal mixing cannot by itself block the northward intrusion of Kuroshio warm water, and that an additional effect induced by tidal residual eddies equivalent to horizontal mixing is needed to regulate kyucho. This strongly suggests that the basin–ocean water exchange processes in areas with complicated land configurations can only be reproduced by taking into account the effects of tidal residual eddies on a 1-km scale in addition to tidal mixing effects evaluated by microstructure measurements.     

Variabilité spatio-temporelle de la biomasse microphytobenthique en rade de Brest et en Manche occidentale

Microphytobenthic biomass was estimated in the Bay of Brest (1994) and the western English Channel (Trezen Vraz, 1993) using spectrophotometry. Best results (42 % difference) were obtained with an instantaneous extraction procedure at room temperature, compared with the cold extraction procedure. Chlorophyll biomass in sediment was higher in the western English Channel (65–215 mg Chl a m⁻²) than in the Bay of Brest (10–113 mg Chl a m⁻²), in contrast to total pigment biomass (Chl a + pheo a : 88–254 mg m⁻² at Trezen Vraz vs. 131–934 mg m⁻² in the Bay of Brest). This study emphasized decreasing pigment biomass from the estuary to the open sea. Low benthic pigment biomass in the Bay, compared to eutrophic ecosystems, agrees with previous studies on the pelagic system, suggesting that there is no eutrophication in the Bay of Brest. Microphytobenthic blooms were strongly correlated with environmental factors, such as river floods, light intensity, water temperature and the spring/neap tidal cycle. Turbidity and light could be limiting factors at Roscanvel, i.e. the deepest site facing gyre circulation. The latter would favour sedimentation of silt particles at the sediment-water interface. Microphytobenthos population dynamics would be also dependent on the spring/neap tidal cycle, since maximum chlorophyll biomass occurred at neap tides at all three sites in the Bay of Brest, in contrast to the western English Channel. Lower temporal variations of pigment biomass in sediment were observed in the Channel, compared with the Bay of Brest; maximum chlorophyll biomass in sediment was found to occur three to four weeks after the phytoplankton blooms.     

Tidal asymmetry in a tidal creek with mixed mainly semidiurnal tide,Bushehr Port,Persian Gulf

This study investigated the tidal asymmetry imposed by both the interaction of principal tides and the higher harmonics generated by distortions within a tidal creek network with mixed mainly semidiurnal tide in the Bushehr Port, Persian Gulf. Since velocity and water-level imposed by principal triad tides K₁-O₁-M₂ are in quadrature, duration asymmetries during a tidal period in this short, shallow inverse estuary should be manifest as skewed velocities. The principal tides produce periodic asymmetries including a strong ebb-dominance and a weak flood-dominance condition during spring and neap tides respectively. The higher harmonics induced by nonlinearities engender a flood-dominance condition where the convergence effects are higher than frictional effects, and an ebbdominance condition where intertidal storage are extended. Since the triad K₁-O₁-M₂ driven asymmetry is not overcome by higher harmonics close to the mouth, the periodic asymmetry dominates within the creek in which higher harmonics reinforce the weak flood-dominance (strong ebb-dominance) condition in the convergent channel (divergent area). Also, the maximum flood and the maximum ebb from all harmonic constituents occurred close to high water slack time during both spring and neap tides in this short creek. Since occational wetting of intertidal areas happened close to the high water (HW) time during spring tide, the water level flooded slowly close to the HW time of the spring tide.     

Biogeochemical patterns in the Atlantic Inflow through the Strait of Gibraltar

The effects of tidal forcing on the biogeochemical patterns of surface water masses flowing through the Strait of Gibraltar are studied by monitoring the Atlantic Inflow (AI) during both spring and neap tides. Three main phenomena are defined depending on the strength of the outflowing phase predicted over the Camarinal Sill: non-wave events (a very frequent phenomenon during the whole year); type I Internal wave events (a very energetic event, occurring during spring tides); and type II Internal wave events (less intense, occurring during neap tides).During neap tides, a non-wave event comprising oligotrophic open-ocean water from the Gulf of Cádiz is the most frequent and clearly dominant flow through the Strait. In this tidal condition, the inflow of North Atlantic Central Water (NACW) provides the main nutrient input to the surface layer of the Alboran Sea, supplying almost 70% of total annual nitrate transport to the Mediterranean basin. A low percentage of active and large phytoplankton cells and low average concentrations of chlorophyll (0.3–0.4 mg m⁻³) are found in this tidal phase. Around 50% of total annual phytoplankton biomass transport into the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait presents these oligotrophic characteristics.In contrast, during spring tides, patches of water with high chlorophyll levels (0.7–1 mg m⁻³) arrive intermittently, and these are recorded concurrently with the passage of internal waves coming from the Camarinal Sill (type I internal wave events). When large internal waves are arrested over the Camarinal Sill this implies strong interfacial mixing and the probable concurrent injection of coastal waters into the main channel of the Strait. These processes result in a mixed water column in the AI and can account for around 30% of total annual nitrate transport into the Mediterranean basin. Associated with type I internal wave events there is a regular inflow of large and active phytoplankton cells, transported in waters with relatively high nutrient concentrations, which constitutes a significant supply of planktonic resources to the pelagic ecosystem of the Alboran Sea (almost 30% of total annual phytoplankton biomass transport).     

长江口北支悬沙浓度及输移的时空变化

本文基于4次洪枯季同步水文观测资料,着重分析了长江口北支悬沙浓度的潮周期变化、垂向分布、纵向分布和悬沙输移及其时空差异。研究结果显示,悬沙浓度的潮周期变化过程在大中潮期以M型(双峰型)为主,下段主槽内在大潮期多出现V型,上段在枯季可出现涨潮单峰型;小潮期可出现无峰、单峰或双峰型。涨、落潮悬沙浓度峰值及均值,在枯季多涨潮大于落潮,洪季中小潮特别是小潮期易出现落潮大于涨潮;下段主槽内在大潮期易出现落潮大于涨潮。悬沙浓度的垂向分布及其变化特点,在大中潮期与悬沙的潮周期变化型式有关,其中M型存在显著的洪枯季差异。纵向上,最高悬沙浓度在枯季出现于中段灵甸港至三和港之间及附近河段,洪季则在下段三条港附近。潮周期悬沙净输移,枯季大多向陆特别是大中潮期,洪季中上段大多向海,下段大潮期多向陆、中小潮易出现向海;下段主槽内在大潮期易出现向海。     

Influences of Nutrient Outwelling from the Mangrove Swamp on the Distribution of Phytoplankton in the Matang Mangrove Estuary, Malaysia

Distributions of dissolved nutrients and Chl. a were investigated in the Sangga Besar River Estuary in the well-managed Matang Mangrove Forest in West Malaysia. In the estuary, spring tide concentrations of ammonium, silicate and phosphate were higher than those in the neap tide, which suggests that these nutrients are flushed from the mangrove area by the inundation and tidal mixing of the spring tide. Ammonium comprised over 50% of the dissolved inorganic nitrogen in the spring tide, while nitrite tended to dominate in the neap tide, indicating the predominance of nitrification inside the estuary in neap tides. Nutrient concentrations in the creek water were higher than those of estuarine water, indicating the nutrient outwelling from the mangrove swamp and ammonium regeneration from mangrove litter in the creek sediments. The maximum concentration of Chl. a in spring tides reached 80 g/l while it was below 20 g/l in the neap tides. These variations in the phytoplankton biomass and nutrients probably reflect the greater nutrient availability in the spring tide due to outwelling from the mangrove swamp and creek.     

Barnacle distribution in Lough Hyne Marine Nature Reserve: a new baseline and an account of invasion by the introduced Australasian species Elminius modestus Darwin

The distribution and abundances of the following species of barnacles were established in autumn 2001 within the Lough Hyne Marine Nature Reserve: Cthamalus stellatus, Cthamalus montagui, Semibalanus balanoides, Elminius modestus, Balanus crenatus and Verruca stroemia. The results of the survey showed a clear distinction between the vertical distribution and the abundance of barnacle species inside Lough Hyne, and those sites sampled in the Rapids and outside the Lough. The Lough is now dominated by the introduced Australasian species E. modestus. This species was first recorded outside Lough Hyne in 1956. By 1988 it was found occasionally throughout the Lough, and appreciable numbers were recorded in 1990–1991. It has now replaced all other species in some parts of the North Basin. At sites subject to freshwater influence it is totally dominant, including in the highly sheltered Goleen site where intertidal barnacles have not previously been recorded. It is suggested that, once established in the North Basin, the sheltered nature of the Lough, combined with high summer temperatures and limited circulation, fostered retention of larvae and heavy spatfall of E. modestus.     

Mesozooplankton community characteristics in the NE subarctic Pacific

Mesozooplankton biomass, species composition, abundance, and vertical distribution were determined along a transect from the continental slope off the west coast of Canada to Ocean Station Papa (OSP) in the open-ocean waters of the NE subarctic Pacific as part of the Canadian Joint Global Ocean Flux Study of this area. All of these measurements had distinct seasonal patterns. At OSP biomass peaked in spring, coincident with the annual biomass maximum of large copepods of the genus Neocalanus. Early copepodites of these copepods were present in surface waters at all stations along the transect in winter, but N. plumchrus and N. flemingeri copepodites were only at the offshore stations in spring. This indicated that these large copepods had completed the growth phase of their life cycle slower in the open ocean than closer to shore where they had already descended to deep water by May or June. Summer biomass was low compared to the spring peak. The summer mesozooplankton abundance was similar to the springtime abundance, but the composition had changed from large-bodied copepods in the spring to small copepods and fewer non-copepod taxa in the summer, which accounts for the reduction in total biomass. Winter biomass was the lowest of the year. Winter species composition was similar to summer except for the appearance of juvenile stages of the genera Neocalanus and Calanus. Diel changes in biomass in the upper 150 m were found in summer but not in winter or spring. Vertical distributions of copepods were often distinct, with closely related species occupying different depth strata. Measurements of wet weight at OSP were higher than the long-term mean wet weight during winter and spring, and lower during summer.     

珠江口洪季最大浑浊带的大小潮变化与机制分析*

基于ROMS三维模型, 模拟了珠江口洪季最大浑浊带的轴、侧向分布和大、小潮变化。模拟结果表明, 珠江口伶仃洋最大浑浊带的轴向位置在22.3°—22.45°N之间, 并随着潮流变化而周期性上下游迁移。控制最大浑浊带形成的主要因素是余流作用下的底层泥沙辐聚, 决定最大浑浊带位置的主要因素是水平对流输沙, 泥沙来源主要是上游浅滩沉积物的再悬浮。小潮期间堆积在浅滩的细颗粒沉积物在大潮期间被悬浮, 搬运到下游的滞流点位置, 在中滩南部和西滩外缘落淤。“潮泵”作用在大潮期间将泥沙向下游输运, 在小潮期间向上游输运; 垂向剪切作用则有利于悬浮泥沙的陆向输运; 二者共同作用产生泥沙辐聚, 形成最大浑浊带。大、小潮期间余流结构差异不大, 主要由密度差和潮汐混合不对称共同导致, 其中前者贡献更大。     

Fortnightly shifts of intrusion depth of oceanic water into Ise Bay

To clarify the time change in water exchanges between Ise Bay and the adjacent ocean, repeated hydrographic observations were conducted along the longitudinal section in Ise Bay. The results show that the mixing condition at the bay mouth (Irago Strait) changed fortnightly in summer. During the spring tides, the strait water below the pycnocline was well-mixed and nearly homogeneous. By contrast, it was weakly stratified during the neap tide. There is a strong negative correlation between the tidal range and the density difference between the upper and lower layers at the strait. In summer, the intrusion depth of oceanic water into the bay and consequent hydrographic conditions inside the bay changed frequently according to the tidal strength. During the spring tides a prominent bottom front was created at the bay mouth, indicating that the strait water, which is a mixture of oceanic and bay waters, intruded through the middle layer. On the other hand, during the neaps, cold and saline oceanic water intruded through the bottom layer into the bay. The intrusion depth is significantly correlated with the tidal range. It is considered that the wellmixed strait water, which has a density equivalent to the middle layer inside the bay, is lighter than the bottom bay water and thus intrudes through the middle layer during the spring tides, while insufficient mixing makes the bottom water at the strait heavier than the bay water, leading to the bottom intrusion during the neap tides.     

Observed fluxes of water,salt and suspended sediment in a partly mixed estuary

Observations of the residual fluxes of water, salt and suspended sediment are presented for seven stations along the Tamar Estuary. The data include measurements over single spring and neap tidal cycles, and are generally applicable to medium or high run-off conditions.Surface to bed differences in salinity are typically of the order of several parts per thousand. Gravitational circulation is an important component of residual flow in the deep, lower reaches of the estuary. Here, Stokes drift is insignificant. In the shallow upper reaches, the major residual currents are generated by Stokes drift and freshwater inputs. Data are compared with predictions from Hansen and Rattray's (1966) model of estuarine circulation.Salt fluxes due to tidal pumping and vertical shear are directed up-estuary at spring tides, tidal pumping being dominant. Tidal pumping of salt is also directed up-estuary at neap tides, although it is insignificant in the lower reaches, where vertical shear dominates.Tidal pumping of suspended sediment is directed up-estuary near the head at spring tides, and probably contributes to the formation of the turbidity maximum. The existence of the turbidity maximum is predicted using a simplified model of the transport of water and sediment. The model shows that an additional mechanism for the existence of the turbidity maximum is an up-estuary maximum in the tidal current speeds (and thus resuspension). In the lower reaches, transport of suspended sediment is directed down-estuary at both spring and neap tides, and sediment is essentially flushed to sea with the fresh water.     

Plankton community diversity from bacteria to copepods in bloom and non-bloom conditions in the Celtic Sea in spring

The plankton community composition comprising heterotrophic bacteria, pro-/eukaryotes, heterotrophic nanoflagellates, microzooplankton and mesozooplankton was assessed during the spring bloom and at non-bloom stations in the English Channel and Celtic Sea between 6 and 12 April 2002. Non-bloom sites were characterised by a dominance of pro-/eukaryotic phytoplankton <20 μm, higher abundance of heterotrophic nanoflagellates, microzooplankton standing stocks ranging between 60 and 380 mg C m⁻², lower mesozooplankton diversity and copepod abundance of between 760 and 2600 ind m⁻³. Within the bloom, the phytoplankton community was typically dominated by larger cells with low abundance of pro-/eukaryotes. Heterotrophic nanoflagellate cell bio-volume decreased leading to a reduction in biomass whereas microzooplankton biomass increased (360–1500 mg C m⁻²) due to an increase in cell bio-volume and copepod abundance ranged between 1400 and 3800 ind m⁻³. Mesozooplankton diversity increased with an increase in productivity. Relationships between the plankton community and environmental data were examined using multivariate statistics and these highlighted significant differences in the abiotic variables, the pro-/eukaryotic phytoplankton communities, heterotrophic nanoflagellate, microzooplankton and total zooplankton communities between the bloom and non-bloom sites. The variables which best described variation in the microzooplankton community were temperature and silicate. The spatial variation in zooplankton diversity was best explained by temperature. This study provides an insight into the changes that occur between trophic levels within the plankton in response to the spring bloom in this area.     

Seasonal and inter-annual variation of mesozooplankton in the coastal upwelling zone off central-southern Chile

Zooplankton sampling at Station 18 off Concepción (36°30′S and 73°07′W), on an average frequency of 30 days (August 2002 to December 2005), allowed the assessment of seasonal and inter-annual variation in zooplankton biomass, its C and N content, and the community structure in relation to upwelling variability. Copepods contributed 79% of the total zooplankton community and were mostly represented by Paracalanus parvus, Oithona similis, Oithona nana, Calanus chilensis, and Rhincalanus nasutus. Other copepod species, euphausiids (mainly Euphausia mucronata), gelatinous zooplankton, and crustacean larvae comprised the rest of the community. Changes in the depth of the upper boundary of the oxygen minimum zone indicated the strongly seasonal upwelling pattern. The bulk of zooplankton biomass and total copepod abundance were both strongly and positively associated with a shallow (<20 m) oxygen minimum zone; these values increased in spring/summer, when upwelling prevailed. Gelatinous zooplankton showed positive abundance anomalies in the spring and winter, whereas euphausiids had no seasonal pattern and a positive anomaly in the fall. The C content and the C/N ratio of zooplankton biomass significantly increased during the spring when chlorophyll-a was high (>5 mg m⁻³). No major changes in zooplankton biomass and species were found from one year to the next. We concluded that upwelling is the key process modulating variability in zooplankton biomass and its community structure in this zone. The spring/summer increase in zooplankton may be largely the result of the aggregation of dominant copepods within the upwelling region; these may reproduce throughout the year, increasing their C content and C/N ratios given high diatom concentrations.