The influence of different turbulence schemes on modelling primary production in a 1D coupled physical–biological model

A one-dimensional (1D) coupled physical–microbiological model has been applied to a site in the central North Sea. The impact of the choice of the turbulence closure scheme on the modelling the primary production has been investigated.The model was run with four different parameterisations of vertical mixing of heat, momentum and dissolved and suspended matters, using M2 tidal forcing and the hourly mean meteorological forcing of 1989 to reproduce the annual thermal structure and primary production. The four mixing parameterisations are: Level 2 turbulence closure scheme [Mellor, G.L., Yamada, T., 1974. A hierarchy of turbulence closure models for planetary boundary layers. J. Atmos. Sci. 31, 1791–1806; Mellor, G.L., Yamada, T., 1982. Development of a turbulence closure model for geophysical Fluid problems. Rev. Geophys. Space Phys. 20 (4) 851–875] using an explicit numerical scheme [Sharples, J., Tett, P., 1994. Modelling the effect of physical variability on the midwater chlorophyll maximum. J. Mar. Res. 52, 219–238]; a version of the Level 2.5 turbulence closure scheme [Galperin, B., Kantha, L.H., Hassid, S., Rosati, A., 1988. A quasi-equilibrium turbulent energy model for geophysical flows. J. Atmos. Sci. 45, 55–62; Ruddick, K.G., Deleersnijder, E., Luyten, P.J., Ozer, J., 1995. Haline stratification in the rhine/meuse freshwater plume: a 3D model sensitivity analysis. Cont. Shelf Res. 15 (13) 1597–1630] simplified to use an algebraic mixing length by Sharples and Simpson [Sharples, J., Simpson, J.H., 1995. Semidiurnal and longer period stability cycles in the Liverpool Bay region of freshwater influence. Cont. Shelf Res. 15, 295–313], also solved explicitly; the same simplified L2.5 scheme with an implicit numerical solution and modified vertical discretisation scheme [Annan, J.D., 1999. Numerical methods for the solution of the turbulence energy equations in the shelf seas. Int. J. Numer. Methods Fluids 29, 193–206]; and another version of the same scheme (but using a different algebraic mixing length) as described by Xing and Davies [Xing, J., Davies, A.M., 1996a. Application of turbulence energy models to the computation of tidal currents and mixing intensities in the shelf edge regions. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 26, 417–447; Xing, J., Davies, A.M., 1996b. Application of a range of turbulence models to the computation of tidal currents and mixing intensities in shelf edge regions. Cont. Shelf. Res. 16, 517–547; Xing, J., Davies, A.M., 1998. Application of a range of turbulence energy models to the computation of the internal tide. Int. J. Numer. Methods Fluids 26, 1055–1084]. Various model outputs at the sea surface and in depth profiles have been compared with data collected in 1989 as part of the North Sea Project [Huthnance, J.M., 1990. Progress on North Sea Project. NERC News, vol. 12, pp. 25–29, UK]. It is shown that the biological results are extremely sensitive to the small changes in the physical conditions, which arise due to the different turbulence schemes tested. The timing of the spring bloom and the maintenance of the midwater chlorophyll maximum all differ greatly between model runs, and the gross primary production varies by a factor of two from the highest to lowest results. The simplified Level 2.5 scheme, implemented using the numerical methods of Annan [Annan, J.D., 1999. Numerical methods for the solution of the turbulence energy equations in the shelf seas. Int. J. Numer. Methods Fluids 29, 193–206], produces results, which give the best agreement with the available data.     

One-dimensional modelling of the plankton ecosystem of the north-western Corsican coastal area in relation to meteorological constraints

In order to study the influence of wind mixing on the spring variability of the plankton production of the north western Corsican coastal area, a one-dimensional (1D), vertical, coupled hydrodynamic/biological model (ECOHYDROMV) is used. A hydrodynamic 1D model of the water column with a k–l turbulent closure is applied. The biological model comprises six state variables, representing the plankton ecosystem in the spring period: phytoplankton, copepods, nitrate, ammonium, particulate organic matter of phytoplanktonic origin and particulate organic matter of zooplanktonic origin. The system is influenced by turbulence (expressed by the vertical eddy diffusivity), temperature and irradiance. The model takes into account momentum and heat surface fluxes computed from meteorological data in order to simulate a typical spring atmospheric forcing for the considered area. Results show that primary production vertical structure is characterised by a subsurface maximum which deepens with time and is regulated by the opposite gradients of nitrate concentration and irradiance. Surface plankton productivity is mainly controlled by turbulent vertical transport of nutrients into the mixed layer. The short time scale variability of turbulent mixing generated by the wind appears to be responsible for the plurimodal shape of plankton blooms, observed in the considered area. Furthermore, the model is applied to the study of the spring evolution of the plankton communities off the bay of Calvi (Corsica) for the years 1986 and 1988. In order to initiate and validate the model, time series of hydrological, chemical and biological data have been used. The model reproduces accurately the spring evolution of the phytoplankton biomass measured in situ and illustrates that its strong variability in those years was in close relation to the variability of the wind intensity.     

Simulations of biological production in the Rhodes and Ionian basins of the eastern Mediterranean

The biological production characteristics of the Rhodes and western Ionian basins of the eastern Mediterranean are studied by a one-dimensional, coupled physical–biological model. The biological model involves single aggregated compartments of phytoplankton, zooplankton, detritus as well as ammonium and nitrate forms of the inorganic nitrogen. It interacts with the physical model through the vertical eddy diffusivity which is calculated using the Mellor–Yamada level 2.5 turbulence parameterization. The model simulations demonstrate the importance of the contrasting physical oceanographic characteristics of these two basins on affecting their yearly planktonic structures. The annual primary production in the Rhodes basin is estimated as 97 g C m² yr⁻¹ which is comparable with the northwestern Mediterranean. The western Ionian basin, on the contrary, possesses only 10% of the Rhodes' productivity and therefore represent a most oligotrophic site in the eastern Mediterranean. The Rhodes basin reveals a strong bloom in early spring, typically in March, a weaker bloom in early winter, typically in January, and a subsurface production below the seasonal thermocline during summer. This structure is slightly modified in the western Ionian basin, and the early winter and early spring blooms are merged to cover the entire winter. These results are supported favorably by the available observations both in their magnitudes and timing.     

Seasonal variability of fractionated phytoplankton, biomass and primary production in the Straits of Magellan

The results on the distribution of phytoplankton biomass (expressed as Chla) and primary production (¹⁴C assimilation), during three oceanographic cruises carried out during Austral spring and at the end of the summer and the autumn in the Straits of Magellan, suggest a strong variability of trophic levels for this ecosystem.Seasonal evolution of the biomass concentration goes from the spring maximum of 2.33 μg/l through a sharp decrease, 0.49 μg/l, observed at the end of summer, until the minimum of 0.24 μg/l measured during the autumn.The trophic conditions are dependent on hydrographic, meteo-climatic and geo-morphological characteristics: at the Atlantic entrance and between the two Angosturas the strong mixing of water column limit the development of phytoplankton; at the Western opening and along the Pacific arm the complex exchange mechanisms with the ocean, the glacio-fluvial contribution and the presence of a thermohaline front near the Isla Carlos III influence both biomass and primary production distributions. The maximum values are reached in the Central Zone (Paso Ancho) characterized by high stability of the water column.Primary production ranged from a minimum of 12.3 to a maximum of 125.9 mgC m⁻² h⁻¹. The overall trend seems to be a progressive and simultaneous increase from the Pacific and Atlantic openings to the Central Zone of Paso Ancho where the maximum value was reached. In general, biomass and primary production distributions correspond quite well except for the area of Isla Carlos III where biological and chemico-physical causes tend to limit ¹⁴C assimilation.Contribution of pico-phytoplankton (< 2 μm) to total biomass appears to be time dependent: in the blooms observed during spring a very modest incidence (< 6%) was observed whereas became more (> 50%) during the summer-autumn seasons when total biomass was decreasing.Within the Straits, at the end of summer, the contribution of pico-phytoplankton primary production is 59%, whereas nano and microplankton contribute 39% and 2%, respectively. At the oceanic external stations the photosynthetic activity of the bigger size-fraction (> 2 μm) is predominant (> 50%).These findings support the hypothesis that the pico-phytoplankton ( < 2 μm) is substantially constant, whereas temporal variations are due to the larger (> 10 μm) cells only.     

Spatial and temporal variability of size-fractionated biomass and primary production in the Ross Sea (Antarctica) during austral spring and summer

The results of a study on the spatial and temporal dynamics of size-fractionated biomass and production of phytoplankton in the Ross Sea during the austral spring and summer are reported. The spring cruise took place in the offshore Ross Sea from 14 November to 14 December 1994. Sampling was carried out on a transect of 27 stations distributed from 76.5 to 72.0°S along 175°E, and covered the three main Antarctic environments of the polynya open waters, the marginal ice zone and the pack ice area. Three subsystems were identified. The subsystem of the polynya was characterised by the predominance of the micro- and nano-planktonic fractions, chlorophyll (Chl a) concentrations from 69.6 to 164.7 mg m⁻² and production rates from 0.68 to 1.14 g C m⁻² day⁻¹. The second subsystem, the marginal ice zone, showed a relative increase of the micro-planktonic fraction, high biomass levels (from 99.64 to 220 mg Chl m⁻²) and production rates from 0.99 to 2.7 g C m⁻² day⁻¹. The subsystem of the pack ice area had a phytoplankton community dominated by the pico-planktonic fraction and showed low biomasses (from 19.4 to 37.7 mg Chl m⁻²) and production rates (0.28 to 0.60 g C m⁻² day⁻¹). Selective grazing by krill is considered an important factor in determining the size structure of the phytoplankton communities. The summer study consisted of a time series carried out in inshore waters of Terra Nova Bay from 12 January to 8 February 1990. In a well stabilised water column and with high levels of PAR always available, the primary production rates of a community dominated by micro-plankton varied from 0.52 to 1.2 g C m⁻² day⁻¹ (average 0.84). A high P/B ratio, up to 3, and a remarkably elevated mean phaeopigment (Phaeo)/Chl a ratio of 2.4 indicated an active removal of biomass by grazing, confirmed by the presence of faecal pellets in quantities reaching 6000 m⁻³ in the upper 50 m. The peculiarities of the inshore versus offshore environments in terms of community size structure, production processes and their implications as regards the food web are discussed.     

Nutrient cycling and primary production in the marine systems of the Arctic and Antarctic

Primary production events in both the Arctic and the Antarctic are highly localized. Carbon-14 incubations that did not account for this caused antarctic primary production estimates to be revised too far downwards from the historic view of high productivity. The primary production regime in the Arctic is even more heterogeneous than in the Antarctic. Arctic primary production rates are in the process of being revised upwards because of a better spatial and temporal distribution of incubation experiments and a re-awakening of interest in estimating new production from the distribution of chemical variables. Similarly, recent examination of temporal changes in nitrate concentrations and recognition of the importance of ice-edge blooms has caused antarctic primary productivity to be revised upwards. In both the Arctic and the Antarctic, the ratio of “new” to total primary production is high, and neglect of this fact can lead to an underestimation of the potential that these regions have for influencing global cycles of bioactive chemicals. Some recent data on temporal changes in nitrate from Fram Strait emphasize the poor state of our knowledge by suggesting an unexpectedly high “new” production rate of 1 g C m⁻² d⁻¹ for a 35 day experiment that encountered an early Phaeocystis bloom. Chemical distributions suggest that new production over the shelf seas that border the Polar Basin is about 50 g Cm⁻² yr⁻¹.The shelves in the Arctic Ocean's marginal and adjacent seas comprise 25% of the total global continental shelf. These extensive shallow regions have much higher rates of primary production than the Polar Basin and may be globally significant sites of denitrification. Globally significant silica deposition could occur on these shelves or on the adjacent slopes.Because of the differences in geomorphology and stratification, global warming is likely to increase primary production in the Arctic and will probably decrease antarctic primary production.In addition to sharing high ratios of “new” to total primary production, high ammonium concentrations occur in the Arctic and Antarctic. It is possible that these accumulations arise from a strong repression of nitrification at low temperatures.     

Siliceous plankton dominate primary and new productivity during the onset of El Niño conditions in the Santa Barbara Basin, California

The potential for carbon export and the role of siliceous plankton in the cycling of C and N was assessed in natural plankton assemblages in the Santa Barbara Basin, California, by examining uptake rates of inorganic carbon, nitrate and silicic acid. In April–August 1997, the concentrations of chlorophyll a, particulate organic carbon, particulate organic nitrogen and biogenic silica were measured twice monthly, and results revealed the occurrence of at least three blooms, the largest in June. Particulate elemental ratios of C, N and Si were similar to ratios of nutrient-replete diatoms, suggesting that they dominated this bloom. Mean integrated rates of carbon, nitrate and silicon uptake during the 4-month study period are similar to other productive coastal and upwelling regions (103, 8.3 and 13 mmol m⁻² day⁻¹, respectively). New production rates were twice as high as previously reported in this region and indicate that high rates of new production along eastern boundary currents are not confined to the major coastal upwelling regions. C/NO₃⁻, Si/NO₃⁻ and Si/C uptake ratios varied widely, and mean integrated ratios were 14±5.4, 1.6±1.0 and 0.12±0.07 (S.D.), respectively. That mean C/NO₃⁻ uptake ratio corresponds to an f-ratio of about 0.5 indicating a large potential for particulate export. Based on the average Si/NO₃⁻ and Si/C uptake ratios, diatoms could perform all of the primary production and nitrate uptake that occurred during the study; these rates also suggest that export is controlled by diatoms in this system. The mean Si/C biomass ratio was lower than the mean Si/C uptake ratio, consistent with the preferential export of Si relative to C observed in sediment traps in the basin. The study took place during a period of surface-water warming, with nitrate and silicic acid concentrations decreasing throughout the onset of the 1997–1998 El Niño conditions. Although diatoms contributed less to particulate biomass during the low nutrient conditions, high f-ratios (0.33–0.66) were maintained.     

Carbon flux in ice–ocean–plankton systems of the Bellingshausen Sea during a period of ice retreat

Most analyses of marine microbial systems in the seasonally ice covered areas of the Southern Ocean have been based on data from the major embayment areas of the Ross and Weddell Seas. In this study data were collected at stations covering a range of regimes from full ice cover through to open water in the Bellingshausen Sea. A major feature of the production system was a rapid retreat of the ice-edge, which uncoupled the marginal ice zone from a phytoplankton bloom which remained associated with a frontal system. This bloom was maintained, and probably initiated, in an unusual environment generated by the interaction between the marginal ice zone and the front. Size-based analyses of the microbial system were derived for ice-covered, recently ice-covered and open water sites. Estimates of standing stocks and key rate processes were combined to produce a single food web network for each station. The under-ice system was one of low production and low recycling but apparently high retention. As the ice retreated the microbial systems to the north began to develop, but these were constrained by grazing pressure. The bloom in the area appeared to be sustained even though estimated losses were far higher than production, although the high sedimentation losses expected were not observed. The carbon flow networks are discussed in relation to the environmental changes and the interaction of the marginal ice zone and the frontal system appears crucial to the phytoplankton. Microzooplankton grazing is implicated as a major controlling factor. The local microbial dynamics are strongly influenced by material which was produced at an earlier time and somewhere else in the Southern Ocean.     

An overview of the abundance and role of protozooplankton in Antarctic waters

The classic view of the Antarctic pelagic system has suggested that food web dynamics are dominated by the diatom-krill food web link. Recent observations, however, have indicated that this is an oversimplification and that the antarctic food web has a complexity similar to that found in lower latitude systems. More specifically, small particulate feeding protozoans appear to have a much greater importance than was previously assumed.Only a few studies have been sufficiently extensive to characterize the Antarctic pelagic protozoan assemblage. These indicate that heterotrophic flagellates (dinoflagellates and other heterotrophic nanoplankton) and ciliates (mostly non-loricate oligotrichs) dominate the protozooplankton assemblages in surface waters. The combined biomass of protozooplankton has been reported to comprise from < 7 to > 75% of the total nano- and microplankton biomass depending on season and location. Protozoans are also found in sea ice communities where their abundances exceed those typically found in the plankton. Several protozoan species occupy both ice and water habitats, suggesting that seasonally melting sea ice may be the source of ice-edge protozooplankton assemblages.The feeding rates of protozooplankton in Antarctic waters are poorly documented. Consumption estimates based on clearance rates and some preliminary grazing experiments, however, indicate that the protozooplankton should be capable of utilizing a significant proportion of the daily primary and bacterioplankton production. Protozoans may contribute to vertical flux, but present evidence suggests that their contribution will be lower than from other sources.     

Steady-state single cell model simulations of photoacclimation in a vertically mixed layer: implications for biological tracer studies and primary productivity

A numerical single-cell photoacclimation–diffusion model was constructed and used to develop criteria regarding the use of individual phytoplankton cells as tracers for vertical mixing and to illustrate how rates of vertical mixing might affect phytoplankton physiology. Both first-order and logistic representations of photoacclimation kinetics were used. Steady state was assumed for simplicity and to provide a starting point for further investigations. The modeled variance and higher moments (within a phytoplankton population) of a generic photoacclimative parameter all show trends, which are diagnostic of mixing rates and/or boundary effects. This allowed the establishment of criteria by which frequency distributions of phytoplankton physiological properties (e.g., cell fluorescence) might be used as indicators of vertical mixing. The same model can be used to predict the effects of vertical mixing on phytoplankton productivity and growth. Application of the model to both photosynthesis and carbon to chlorophyll ratios suggested that a combination of vertical mixing and hysteresis (as represented in the logistic model of photoacclimation) in acclimation kinetics can enhance specific growth rates of phytoplankton. This enhanced growth occurred as a result of mixing-induced variation in carbon to chlorophyll ratios and is in contrast to chlorophyll-specific productivity, which was maximal at low mixing rates. Differential rates of photoacclimation to upward vs. downward shifts in irradiance, may enable phytoplankton cells to better survive in a turbulent environment.     

交通建设监理企业转型升级探讨

针对监理行业发展存在的诸多问题,大型交通建设监理企业应做大做强,转变为综合性的工程项目管理企业;中小型企业做精做专,成为专业性的新型监理企业。建立现代企业制度,稳步推进多元化战略,逐步推行一体化战略,积极实施走出去战略,坚持实施品牌战略,大力推行“人才强企”战略。     

工艺技术在修造船分段制作中的安全应用

修造船分段制作过程中的生产工艺是保证生产顺利进行,不发生安全事故的技术保障。文章从修造船小组立制作过程中最为重要的起重吊装和装配工艺技术两方面,举例介绍工艺技术在安全生产中的重要作用。     

The trophic role of the tunicate Salpa thompsoni in the Antarctic marine ecosystem

During a repeat grid survey and drogue study carried out in austral summer 1994/95, the abundance and feeding activity of salps were estimated in the Lazarev Sea region from net tows and in situ measurements of gut fluorescence. Throughout the survey area, Salpa thompsoni accounted for >95% of the total salp stock while Ihlea racovitzai was consistently represented in very low abundances. Maximum densities of S. thompsoni, with ≈4000 ind. 1000 m⁻³, were recorded in the Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ) in December when chlorophyll-a concentrations were well below 1 mg m⁻³. A dramatic decrease in salp stock was observed at the beginning of January, when S. thompsoni virtually disappeared from the most productive area of the MIZ where chlorophyll-a concentrations had by then reached bloom levels of 1.5–3 mg (Chl-a) m⁻³. In situ grazing measurements showed that throughout the cruise S. thompsoni exhibited the highest ingestion rates per individual of any of the most abundant components of the grazing pelagic community, with maxima of ≈160 μg (pigm) ind. ⁻¹ d⁻¹. These feeding rates are 3 to 5 times higher than those previously obtained using in vitro incubations. The total daily consumption of the population of S. thompsoni varied from 0.3 to 108% of daily primary production. We suggest that competitive removal of food by S. thompsoni, rather than direct predation, is responsible for the low krill abundances generally associated with salp swarms.     

七里海湿地生物多样性现状及其保护对策

实地调查结果表明,七里海湿地生物资源丰富,其中鸟类184种,隶属于16目39科88属,包括国家I级保护鸟类3种,国家II级保护鸟类25种;兽类共有5目9科16属19种;两栖类动物1目3科5种;昆虫11目75科261种;鱼类10目18科64种;浮游动物11科15种;底栖动物12科29种。植物计有高等植物44科114属165种,以禾本科、菊科、豆科等为代表的草本植物占主要地位。由于受水环境污染和人工鱼塘养殖等多种因素影响,近年来七里海湿地的生态环境正在不断恶化。文章对七里海湿地的生物多样性现状进行了分析,提出了加强七里海湿地生态保护的建议和措施。     

船用核动力一回路设备故障综合智能诊断系统

在总结核动力一回路设备的故障诊断技术的基础上,依据“分解-综合”的诊断思想,提出基于神经网络和专家系统的综合智能诊断系统的模型和多源信息综合诊断模型,探索将不同的诊断技术结合起来形成新的智能诊断系统。     

故障树分析法在变、配电系统火灾危险评价中的应用

基于故障树分析法,对变、配电系统的火灾危险性进行了定性和定量分析,查明了导致火灾发生的原因并建立了该系统火灾发生的概率模型,为变、配电系统的维护和火灾的预防性检测提供了依据。     

Patterns and controls of chlorophyll-a and primary productivity cycles in the Southern California Bight

Factors that influence the magnitude and the depth of the chlorophyll maximum layer in the ocean off Southern California are explored using observations from the long-term California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) program. The data record is sufficiently long to reveal patterns not always evident from single stations or single cruises. Processes such as coastal wind-driven upwelling, geostrophic circulation, and annual physical and chemical cycles are illustrated to demonstrate their effect on euphotic zone nutrient availability, and subsequent phytoplankton biomass and primary productivity. In this area, where the influence of wind-driven upwelling is spatially restricted and advected waters are generally nutrient depleted, geostrophically induced upwelling and winter convection become important in determining spatial and temporal patterns of phytoplankton.     

Floating production platforms and their applications in the development of oil and gas fields in the South China Sea

This paper studies the current available options forfloating production platforms in developing deepwater oil fieldsand the potential development models of future oil and gasexploration in the South China Sea. A detailed review of currentdeepwater platforms worldwide was performed through theexamples of industry projects, and the pros and cons of eachplatform are discussed. Four types of platforms are currently usedfor the deepwater development： tension leg platform, Spar,semi-submersible platform, and the floating production systemoffloading. Among these, the TLP and Spar can be used for dry treeapplications, and have gained popularity in recent years. The drytree application enables the extension of the drilling application forfixed platforms into floating systems, and greatly reduces the costand complexity of the subsea operation. Newly built wet treesemi-submersible production platforms for ultra deepwater are alsogetting their application, mainly due to the much needed payloadfor deepwater making the conversion of the old drillingsemi-submersible platforms impossible. These platforms have beenused in different fields around the world for different environments;each has its own advantages and disadvantages. There are manychallenges with the successful use of these floating platforms. A lotof lessons have been learned and extensive experience accumulatedthrough the many project applications. Key technologies are beingreviewed for the successful use of floating platforms for fielddevelopment, and potential future development needs are beingdiscussed. Some of the technologies and experience of platformapplications can be well used for the development of the SouthChina Sea oil and gas field.     

Plankton distribution and the impact of copepod grazing on primary production in Fram Strait, Greenland Sea

Two hydrobiological transects across the East Greenland Shelf and the open waters of Fram Strait in summer were chosen to illustrate the distribution and production of phyto- and zooplankton in relation to water masses and ice cover. The parameters used were temperature and salinity, inorganic nutrients, chlorophyll a, primary production, phytoplankton species composition, abundance of the dominant herbivorous copepods Calanus finmarchicus, C. glacialis, C. hyperboreus, Metridia longa and egg production of C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis. Grazing impact of copepodites and adults of these four species was modelled for each station by using egg production rates as an index of growth. Seasonal development of plankton communities was closely associated with the extent of the ice cover, hydrographic conditions and the water masses typical of the different hydrographic domains. Four regions were identified from their biological activities and physical environment: The Northeast Water polynya on the East Greenland Shelf, with a springbloom of diatoms and active reproduction of herbivorous copepods. The pack ice region, dominated by small flagellates and negligible grazing activities. The marginal ice zone, with high variability and strong gradients of autotroph production related to eddies and ice tongues, an active microbial loop and low egg production. The open water, with high station-to-station variability of most of the parameters, probably related to hydrographic mesoscale activities. Here, Phaeocystis pouchetii was a prominent species in the phytoplankton communities. Its presence may at least partly be responsible for the generally low egg production in the open waters. Grazing impact on primary production was always small, due to low zooplankton biomass in the polynya and due to low ingestion in the remaining regions.     

Egg production of the copepod Acartia hongi in Kyeonggi Bay, Korea

Many studies of copepod egg production have shown that food availability and temperature are major factors that influence copepod growth. However, coastal environments are complicated ecosystem and the relationships between growth of copepods and influencing factors are not always clear in nature. We conducted a study along an inner–middle–outer bay transect where variations in environmental parameters would be expected to affect the biomass and egg production rate of A. hongi from February 2001 to December 2001. In this study, we investigated the abundance and biomass with developmental stages and egg production rates of A. hongi in relation to various environmental factors. The copepod A. hongi occurred continuously throughout the year, with a peak abundance in May. In general, the variation in egg production rates showed a similar tendency with the variations in chlorophyll-a throughout the study period. This suggests that phytoplankton biomass is an important factor that affects the egg production of A. hongi. In addition, during the warm season, the egg production of A. hongi was also influenced by the ciliates abundance in the middle and outer bay. Consequently, the egg production of A. hongi is generally affected by food availability in Kyeonggi Bay.