Some examples of the epipelagic plankton size structure in high latitude oceans

Abstract

Plankton in the size range of several micrometers to several centimeters were collected using different methods, with respect to size fraction, and analysed for composition and concentration in log₂ individual body volume classes. The material originated from the North Atlantic and the Antarctic. Open-ocean North Atlantic plankton size spectra indicated a generally equal biomass level over the whole size range. Their moderate irregularities suggest the existence of some constraints specific to size. Plankton size spectra from the Antarctic Peninsula region and from the shallow, coastal waters show greater irregularities, which probably result from strong external influences.