Zooplankton diel vertical migration in the Corsica Channel (north-western Mediterranean Sea) detected by a moored ADCP

Abstract

Abstract. Diel vertical migration (DVM) is a survival strategy adopted by zooplankton, that was investigated in the Corsica Channel using ADCP data, from April 2014 to November 2016. The principal aim of the study is to characterize migratory patterns and biomass temporal evolution along the water column. The ADCP measured vertical velocity and echo intensity in the water column range between about 70 m and 390 m (the bottom depth is 443 m). In addition, net samples were taken during summer 2015 at the same location. During the investigated period, biomass had a well-defined daily and seasonal cycle, with peaks occurring in late winter–spring, when the stratification of water column is weaker. Biomass evolution along the whole water column is well correlated with primary production estimated with satellite data. Blooming and no-blooming periods have been identified and studied separately. During the no-blooming period biomass was most abundant in the surface and the deep layers, while during the blooming period the surface maximum disappeared and the deep layer with high biomass became thicker. These two layers are likely to correspond to two different zooplanktonic communities. Nocturnal DVM appears to be the main pattern during both periods, but also reverse and twilight migration are detected. Nocturnal DVM was more evident at mid-water than near in the deep and the surface layers. DVM occurred with different intensities in blooming and no-blooming periods, and phenomena like nocturnal sinking were found to be stronger during the blooming period. One of the main outcomes is that the principal drivers for DVM are light intensity and stratification, but also others are taken in consideration.