A series of cruises was made over 14 months to determine the effect of physical transport on the zooplankton of Indian Arm, whose deep water is separated from the marine influence of the Strait of Georgia by a series of shallow sills. The dominant transport process during the study period was tidal exchange. The topographic features of the inlet, coupled with density stratification found over the year, restricted the exchange of water and plankton to a surface phenomenon. Four copepod species were sampled using horizontally towed Clarke-Bumpus nets and vertically towed SCOR nets and one meter conical nets. These were analysed to determine the relationship between different life history patterns and tidal exchange, and the effect of this relationship on the populations of these species inside Indian Arm. Corycaeus anglicus is a surface water to mid depth organism found in highest numbers in Vancouver Harbour. The population density reaches a peak in the fall and remains high throughout the winter with transport concomittant with this peak. Euchaeta japonica exhibits ontogenetic depth preferences, nauplii and Stage I copepodites are found mainly in deep water below 200 meters, Stages II-IV are found mainly in shallow water, and Stages V and VI (adults) are found scattered over most of the water column. This species reproduces throughout the year in both Indian Arm and the Strait of Georgia. Euchaeta japonica was transported mainly as the Stage III copepodite and primarily during the winter months despite the fact that the species is found in surface waters in large numbers at other times of the year, thus producing an isolated population in Indian Arm during the summer. Metridia pacifica is a strong diel migrator found extensively in the upper 50 meters at night, and from 250 meters to 50 meters during the day. Transport of the species across the sill occurs at all times of the year but is significantly greater at night, regardless of the phase of tide. Eucalanus bungi is an ontogenetic migrator, overwintering in deep water (greater than 150 meters), and coming to the surface in the spring to spawn; juvenile stages are found in surface waters during the summer. The data show that this species is transported only during the summer while it is in surface water. Consequently nauplii and younger copepodites are the dispersal stages. The data suggest that the species does not reproduce in Indian Arm and that transport of the species during the summer months can account for the entire overwintering population found in the inlet. An analysis of the correlation of changes in the zooplankton community with physical parameters varying over the tidal cycle was made. Species known to migrate dielly show significant differences in numbers between day and night samples. Relatively few species show differences which can be correlated to the direction of tidal movement. The most significant changes seen in the zooplankton community occur in association with changes in hydrographic properties. Moreover, these changes are manifested not at the species level, but at the community level as changes in such parameters as diversity and dominance. The effect of transport on the zooplankton community in Indian Arm varies from species to species. Qualitatively, the effect depends upon the organisms' life cycle including a surface dwelling stage, and/or its ability to survive the surface water transport conditions. Quantitatively, the effect depends on the amount of time spent in surface water, which varies with the depth distribution of the organism, determined by its behavioral characteristics. The overall effect of tidal exchange will be to drive towards equilibrium the population of zooplankton found in Indian Arm and the Strait of Georgia. It is the biology of the individual species which determines the extent of interaction with this transport process and hence the amount of exchange which takes place. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate

Populations of Euphausia pacifica Hansen in the Strait of Georgia region which have recently been commercially harvested were studied with respect to life history, distribution and population dynamics in order to examine aspects of the management of the resource. The potential use of local euphausiids as a food item for fish rearing was also evaluated through chemical analyses and feeding trials with juvenile coho salmon. The maximum life span in local populations was 19 months for males and 22 months for females. Spawning, which occurred from May to September, appeared to be closely related to phytoplankton abundance. First-year growth was maximal in summer (0.094 mm/day) but slowed in autumn and halted in winter. Growth in the following year showed a similar pattern. Males appeared to grow faster and experienced size-selective mortality following early maturity (11-12 mm). Survival increased with life phase changes between egg (6%/mo) and early adult stages (68%/mo) but declined sharply for individuals over 18 mm. Total biomass, B, in each population reached a maximum in October-November. Production by E. pacifica , P, in Saanich Inlet during July-November was 26.8 mgC/m²/day (P/B = 8.8), which is similar to that for herbivorous copepods, but higher than a previous estimate for E. pacifica . Juvenile coho salmon at 9 C showed mean growth rates of 3.8%/day on freeze-dried euphausiids compared to 3.0%, 2.7% and 3.1%/day on diets of euphausiid meal, frozen euphausiids and Oregon Moist Pellet, respectively. Local euphausiids have a well-balanced spectrum of amino acids in their proteins and high carotenoid concentrations (80-219 μ/g tissue) , making them suitable for use in aquacultural feeds. British Columbia's euphausiid fishery harvested about 100 metric tons during early 1977; the main uses are as an aquarium fish food and as a dietary supplement in salmon aquaculture. Yield calculations and other management considerations have indicated that the optimal harvesting time for E. pacifica is between October and December rather than from January to March as suggested by government guidelines on plankton harvesting, a limited and carefully monitored euphausiid fishery in the Strait of Georgia region appears to have potential value to the new plankton harvesting industry and to managers of associated fisheries who need further information on zooplankton population dynamics. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate

The dry weight of zooplankton is an important parameter conventionally used to estimate secondary production in aquatic ecosystems. Estimates of zooplankton weight vary considerably across studies. This study examines various factors that contribute to differences in the individual dry weight of freshwater herbivorous zooplankton. In the first chapter, I quantified and compared the individual length and weight changes of Daphnia catawba and Diaptomus minutus resulting from preservation in either 4% sugar-formalin, 70% ethanol solution or freezing over dry ice. The results indicate that the dry weight of both animals was significantly altered by chemical preservatives. The length of Diaptomus was also significantly reduced due to preservation. Site-specific differences in lakes, such as available food and the presence of predators, introduce another potential source of variation in herbivore dry weight. In Chapter 2, the food available to several herbivorous zooplankton in two softwater lakes was estimated using various methods. An index of "edible" phytoplankton biomass based on stomach content analyses was developed and compared to the traditional techniques used to estimate available food. The results indicate that the available was food different for each herbivore and that estimates of food available based on stomach content analyses were not significantly related to the traditional techniques used to estimate available food. In Chapter 3, I evaluate the relative impacts of "topdown" (predation) versus "bottom-up" (food) effects on the dry weight of several herbivores in two softwater lakes with contrasting food-web structures. The length-specific dry weights of Daphnia catawba, Diaptomus minutus and Holopedium gibberum varied seasonally and these changes were taxa-specific and unique to each lake. Herbivore weights were regressed against length, available food, clutch size, population density and temperature to determine if "bottom-up" effects could explain between-lake differences in herbivore weight. Length and population density were the prominent predictor variables in the resulting regression models for the herbivores in these lakes. Predator effects were determined by comparing if the between-lake differences in herbivore weight were consistent with the presence or absence of planktivores. Holopedium dry weight was lower in the presence of planktivores, while Diaptomus dry-weight differences exhibited no consistent trend with the presence or absence of planktivores. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)

GENERAL ABSTRACT The Laurentian Great Lake wetlands are highly productive and complex systems. The net loss of wetlands since European settlement has been dramatic. The remaining coastal wetlands continue to be threatened with obliteration or severe environmental degradation. Therefore, the overall objective of this study was to provide information on the ecology of the remaining coastal wetlands within the lower Great Lakes. This study describes a coastal wetland fish community along the north shore of Lake Erie within Long Point Marsh complex over a 24-h period and catch characteristics of three common fishing techniques. The fish community was sampled at two hour intervals over a 24-h period in June, and used three types of gear to determine possible sampling biases from the different collection techniques. A total of 497 fish encompassing 11 taxa were collected. A 2-h interval, four hours prior to sunset, netted the largest number of taxa (including 3 functional feeding groups: ornmvores, planktivores, and piscivores ), as well as highest abundance and biomass values. Seine netting demonstrated a biased towards sampling the smaller planktivores, while fyke nets were biased towards larger omnivorous fish, and boat electrofishing was biased towards the large piscivores. These results will assist scientists and lake managers to develop standardized fish sampling protocol in order to accurately assess differences in wetland fish communities. Seven coastal wetlands within Lake Erie and Ontario along both the Canadian and United States shorelines were studied to verify predicted relationships from the literature and determine the relative influences of various habitat features on zooplankton community structure. Water quality, aquatic macrophyte, zooplankton, and fish community information were collected from the wetlands between July 4th and August 2nd of 2001. The predicted relationships from the literature concerning water quality and macrophyte species richness were verified by the results of this work. Water quality and macrophyte species richness were the most accurate predictors of wetland zooplankton community structure. Identifying the wetland characteristics that play primary roles in structuring zooplankton communities will also assist lake managers to make informed decisions of how to most effectively improve zooplankton habitat, to foster larger-bodied zooplankton populations, making the habitat more suitable for larger populations of larval and juvenile fish. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)

In recent years there has been growing environmental concern regarding ‘microplastics’: microscopic plastic granules, fibres and fragments, categorised as <1 or <5 mm diameter. Microplastics are manufactured to be of a microscopic size, or derive from the photo- and mechanical degradation and subsequent fragmentation of larger plastic litter. Microplastics debris has been identified in the water column and sediments of marine and freshwater ecosystems across the globe, although difficulties in sampling and isolating smaller particulates has resulted in the abundance of <333 µm microplastics being under-reported. Microplastics are bioavailable to a range of aquatic organisms, including fish, seabirds and benthic invertebrates, and can be trophically transferred. The consumption of plastic debris can result in gut blockages, heightened immune response and a loss of lipid reserves. The potential risk to food security, and thereby human health, has led regulators to call for better understanding of the fate and effects of microplastic debris on marine life. Here I tested the hypothesis that microplastics can be ingested by and may negatively impact upon zooplankton. Zooplankton encompass a range of aquatic animals that form a key trophic link between primary producers and the rest of the marine food web. I used a suite of feeding experiments, bio-imaging techniques and ecotoxicological studies to explore the interactions and impacts of polystyrene microplastics on marine zooplankton. My results demonstrate that a range of filter-feeding zooplankton taxa, including copepods and bivalve and decapod larvae, have the capacity to ingest microplastics. Microplastics significantly reduced algal feeding in the copepods Centropages typicus and Calanus helgolandicus. With prolonged microplastic exposure C. helgolandicus produced smaller eggs with reduced hatching success, and had reduced survival owing to declining energetic reserves. Microplastics egested by copepods significantly altered the properties and sinking rates of faecal pellets, with potential repercussions for marine nutrient flux. This investigative work highlights that microplastics pose a significant risk to the health of animals at the base of the marine food web.

No description available.

No description available.

Siu Yuen Yu. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-139). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract (English) --- p.i / Abstract (Chinese) --- p.iii / Acknowledgments --- p.v / Table of Contents --- p.vi / List of Figures --- p.x / List of Tables --- p.xvi / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1 --- Traditional methods for studying zooplankton feeding selectivity --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Cell counting after laboratory feeding experiments --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Direct examination of gut contents --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Use of radioactive tracers --- p.9 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Gut fluorescence method --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2 --- High Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis of phytoplankton pigments --- p.11 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Principle --- p.11 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Pigments as signature markers of phytoplankton --- p.11 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Development of HPLC analysis of phytoplankton pigments --- p.16 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Advantages of HPLC analysis of phytoplankton pigments --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Limitation of HPLC analysis of phytoplankton pigments --- p.18 / Chapter 2.3 --- Zooplankton feeding selectivity --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Ecological importance of zooplankton feeding selectivity --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Factors affecting zooplankton feeding selectivity --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Feeding selectivity of zooplankton studied in this study --- p.21 / Chapter 2.3.3.1 --- p. avirostirs --- p.21 / Chapter 2.3.3.2 --- Paracalanus spp --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3.3.3 --- Pseudevadne tergestina --- p.23 / Chapter 2.4 --- Pigment degradation in guts of zooplankton --- p.24 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Experimental design --- p.24 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Pigment degradation --- p.24 / Chapter 2.5 --- "Tolo Harbour, Hong Kong" --- p.26 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Site description --- p.26 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Phytoplankton and zooplankton in Tolo Harbour --- p.27 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.28 / Chapter 3.1 --- Field sampling --- p.28 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Study of seasonal patterns in zooplankton feeding selectivity --- p.28 / Chapter 3.1.1.1 --- Collection of phytoplankton and zooplankton for pigment analysis --- p.28 / Chapter 3.1.1.2 --- Collection of phytoplankton and zooplankton for plankton enumeration --- p.30 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Collection of phytoplankton and zooplankton for laboratory feeding experiments --- p.32 / Chapter 3.2 --- Laboratory experiments and data analysis --- p.33 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Study of seasonal patterns in zooplankton feeding selectivity --- p.33 / Chapter 3.2.1.1 --- HPLC of phytoplankton pigments --- p.33 / Chapter 3.2.1.2 --- Fluorometric measurement of chlorophyll-α --- p.35 / Chapter 3.2.1.3 --- Plankton identification and enumeration --- p.36 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Laboratory feeding experiments for investigation of pigment degradation in zooplankton gut --- p.37 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- RESULTS --- p.41 / Chapter 4.1 --- Information on Tolo Harbour --- p.41 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Temperature and salinity in Tolo Harbour --- p.41 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Plankton composition and community in Tolo Harbour --- p.43 / Chapter 4.1.2.1 --- Phytoplankton --- p.43 / Chapter 4.1.2.2 --- Zooplankton --- p.50 / Chapter 4.2 --- Seasonal zooplankton feeding selectivity investigated by HPLC phytoplankton pigment analysis --- p.53 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Verification of HPLC pigment analysis by fluorometric analysis --- p.53 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Correlations between phytoplankton cell densities and pigment concentrations in water samples --- p.55 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Feeding selectivity of zooplankton on different phytoplankton groups --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Feeding selectivity of zooplankton on dinoflagellates --- p.87 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Feeding selectivity of zooplankton on diatoms --- p.87 / Chapter 4.3 --- Feeding selectivity on phytoplankton by other cladoceran - Pseudevadne tergestina --- p.89 / Chapter 4.4 --- Pigment degradation in zooplankton guts after ingestion of phytoplankton --- p.90 / Chapter 4.5 --- Clearance rates of P. avirostris and Paracalanus spp. in feeding experiments --- p.101 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- DISCUSSIONS --- p.105 / Chapter 5.1 --- Experiment design --- p.105 / Chapter 5.2 --- Seasonal zooplankton feeding selectivity investigated by HPLC phytoplankton pigment analysis --- p.108 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Correlations between phytoplankton cell densities and pigment concentrations in water samples --- p.108 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Feeding selectivity of zooplankton on different phytoplankton groups --- p.108 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Feeding selectivity of Pseudevadne tergestina --- p.111 / Chapter 5.3 --- Feeding experiments for investigating pigment degradation in guts of zooplankton --- p.112 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Principle --- p.112 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Degradation for different pigments in guts of P. avirostris and Paracalanus spp. --- p.112 / Chapter 5.4 --- Clearance rates of P. avirostris and Paracalanus spp. --- p.114 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- p. avirostris --- p.114 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Paracalanus spp. --- p.115 / Chapter 5.5 --- Limitations of HPLC analysis of phytoplankton pigments --- p.116 / Chapter 5.6 --- Environmental events related to feeding selectivity of zooplankton in Tolo Harbour --- p.118 / Chapter 5.6.1 --- Energy transfer in trophic level --- p.118 / Chapter 5.6.2 --- Abilities of p. avirostris and Paracalanus spp. to control red tides in Tolo Harbour --- p.118 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- CONCLUSION --- p.120 / REFERENCES --- p.122 / APPENDIX

Abstract Half a century after the Tanganyika sardine (Limnothrissa miodon Boulenger) was introduced into Lake Kivu, several aspects of metazooplankton ecology were investigated from January 2002 to June 2005 in the pelagic zone of the lake. As in other large lakes of the region, zooplankton in Lake Kivu is species-poor, and is dominated by copepods. In addition to three cyclopoid species, four cladoceran and 12 rotifer taxa were recorded. Zooplankton showed marked seasonal variation. Total crustacean abundance increased to a distinct dry season maximum (August-September), following the rise of phytoplankton production associated with deep vertical mixing. The three copepods and the most important cladoceran species exhibited different patterns of vertical migration, depending on their feeding habits, life stages and body size at the adult stage. The relatively small Tropocyclops confinis Kiefer was permanently present in the euphotic layer, while the largest copepod species, Thermocyclops consimilis Kiefer and Mesocyclops aequatorialis Kiefer, as well as the cladoceran Diaphanosoma excisum Sars, exhibited a typical diel vertical migration, with some differences among life stages. Total biomass of copepods in Lake Kivu (Mean= 0.3 g C m-2) is lower than in lakes Tanganyika and Malawi. Similarly, mean annual total production (8.3 g C m-2 y-1) is about three times as low as in lakes Malawi and Tanganyika. The ratio between phytoplankton production and zooplankton production is low (about 1.6 %), suggesting a low transfer efficiency at this food web level. As primary production is in the range found in the other large lakes of the region, it is suggested that the low total zooplankton biomass in Lake Kivu is related to the disappearance of Daphnia curvirostris Eylmann, which was likely the key grazer before the planktivorous fish introduction. The absence in Lake Kivu of a calanoid copepod species, which can more efficiently exploit phytoplankton production, may be another reason why carbon transfer efficiency between phytoplankton and zooplankton is low. Data analysis using multivariate methods showed that seasonal variations of the ratio mixed layer depth: euphotic depth (Zm:Zeu) is the key driving force influencing plankton dynamics via its influence on quantity and quality of zooplankton food resources. This suggests that mesozooplankton dynamics in Lake Kivu is essentially bottom-up controlled. Presently, the sole indication of a significant impact of L. miodon predation on zooplankton is the decrease of average body size of the cladoceran Diaphanosoma over time. Résumé Un demi-siècle après l’introduction de la sardine Limnothrissa miodon Boulenger, endémique du lac Tanganyika, plusieurs aspects de l’écologie du métazooplancton pélagique du lac Kivu ont fait l’objet d’investigations dans ce lac de janvier 2002 à juin 2005. Comme dans d’autres grands lacs de la région, le métazooplancton du lac Kivu présente une faible diversité spécifique. Il est dominé par trois espèces de copépodes cyclopoïdes. Quatre espèces de cladocères et 12 taxa de rotifères ont également été observés. Le zooplancton de ce grand lac présente des variations saisonnières marquées. L’abondance totale des crustacés présente un pic distinct vers la fin de la saison sèche (août - septembre), qui succède à un pic de phytoplancton. Les 4 espèces les plus abondantes montrent différents patrons de migration verticale, dépendant de leur régime alimentaire, du stade de développement et de la taille du stade adulte. Le plus petit copépode, Tropocyclops confinis Kiefer reste en permanence dans la zone photique alors que les 2 grandes espèces, Thermocyclops consimilis Kiefer et Mesocyclops aequatorialis Kiefer, ainsi que le cladocère Diaphanosoma excisum Sars, réalisent des migrations verticales journalières, dont l’amplitude varie selon le stade de développement des individus. La biomasse totale des copépodes (moyenne = 0.3 g C m-2) est plus faible que dans les lacs Tanganyika et Malawi. Une différence semblable a été observée pour la production totale annuelle qui est de 8.3 g C m-2 j-1, soit environ 3 fois moins que dans les deux autres grands lacs. Le rapport entre la production primaire phytoplanctonique et la production zooplanctonique est également faible (environ 1.6 %) ; indiquant une faible efficience de transfert à ce niveau du réseau trophique. Le fait que la production primaire du Lac Kivu soit du même ordre de grandeur que dans les autres grands lacs de la région suggère que les faibles valeurs de la biomasse totale du zooplancton sont une conséquence de la disparition de Daphnia curvirostris Eylmann, qui était sans doute le brouteur le plus efficace avant l’introduction de la sardine. L’absence au Lac Kivu d’une espèce de copépode calanoide, qui peut exploiter le phytoplancton de façon optimale, est sans doute une autre raison de la faible efficience du transfert de carbone entre le phyto- et le zooplancton. L’analyse des données par des méthodes multivariées a montré que la variation saisonnière du rapport zone de mélange: zone photique (Zm:Zeu) est le facteur clé influençant la production du métazooplancton via la quantité et la qualité de ses ressources alimentaires. La dynamique zooplanctonique dans ce lac subit donc essentiellement un contrôle « bottom-up ». La diminution de la taille des individus de Diaphanosoma au cours du temps est actuellement la seule indication de l’impact de la prédation de Limnothrissa miodon sur le zooplancton.

This thesis investigates the relationships between mercury (Hg) and stable isotope of carbon (δ13C) in marine pelagic zooplankton (Calanus spp., Themisto spp. and Euchaeta spp.) with water mass characteristics in the North Water Polynya (NOW) and in the Mackenzie shelf – Amundsen Gulf area. Two ship based sampling field expeditions were carried out in late summer of 2005 and 2006 in both regions on board the CCGS Amundsen. In the North Water (NOW) polynya, higher levels of water Hg, depleted δ18O, lower salinity and lower nitrate levels were measured at sampling locations near the Prince of Wales glacier (POW) on the eastern coast of Ellesmere Island in the Smith Sound area. These results suggest that the glacier may be a source of Hg to this region which, in turn, is responsible for the correspondingly high concentrations of THg and MMHg measured in Calanus spp. and Euchaeta spp. at the same locations. The Mackenzie shelf – Amundsen Gulf region was characterized by fresher surface water properties (low salinity and depleted δ18O) in the western part and was strongly linked to the influence of the Mackenzie River. Higher THg concentrations in zooplankton were associated with larger fractions of both meteoric water and sea-ice melt. These findings suggest that in the western Arctic, inorganic Hg uptake in zooplankton via-absorption near surface water was highly driven by freshwater inputs into the system. Based on the analysis of three main genus Calanus spp. (mostly adult females Calanus hyperboreus), Euchaeta spp. and Themisto spp. (mostly adult Themisto libellula), THg and MMHg concentrations were the highest in the carnivorous copepod Euchaeta spp. in the North Water polynya followed by the omnivorous hyperiid amphipod Themisto spp. The herbivorous copepod Calanus spp. had both the lowest THg and MMHg concentrations in the Eastern and the Western Arctic. In addition, the Western Arctic is the area in which each zooplankton genus had the most depleted carbon and the most enriched nitrogen. The highest concentrations of THg in Calanus spp., Euchaeta spp. and Themisto spp. were measured in the Western Arctic as well as the highest MMHg in Calanus spp. and Themisto spp. The highest %MMHg was calculated in the Archipelago for Themisto spp., in the Eastern Arctic for Euchaeta spp. and in the Western Arctic for Calanus spp. The relationships observed between THg, MMHg, %MMHg and δ13C in all three major zooplankton taxa and water mass properties were in agreement with what have been previously described in the literature. Our findings suggested that both Hg and δ13C can be used as tracers to help understand zooplankton vertical distribution, feeding ecology and ultimately to predict climate changes impact at lower trophic level in the pelagic food web. The implications for marine mammals foraging in these regions are also discussed. / October 2008