The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

The temporal and spatial distribution of krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica) at the deep seabed of the Faroe–Shetland Channel, UK: A potential mechanism for rapid carbon flux to deep sea communities

The temporal and spatial distribution of krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica) at the deep seabed of the Faroe–Shetland Channel, UK: A potential mechanism for rapid carbon flux to deep sea communities
The temporal and spatial distribution of krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica) at the deep seabed of the Faroe–Shetland Channel, UK: A potential mechanism for rapid carbon flux to deep sea communities
The temporal and spatial distribution of Meganyctiphanes norvegica near the seabed (<5 m above the seafloor) was investigated using remotely operated vehicle (ROV) video footage from eight sites in the Faroe–Shetland Channel. Meganyctiphanes norvegica was most abundant near the seabed at 400–600 m depth, which corresponds to a temperature transitional region between shallower warmer water and deeper cold water. Densities of M. norvegica were significantly lower in the warm water, and no krill were detected at 900–1500 m depth in the cold water. Meganyctiphanes norvegica densities declined at night owing to daily vertical migrations. Time-series analysis showed higher krill densities at 06:00–09:00 and 18:00–21:00 at a depth of 400–480 m and at 12:00–15:00 at a depth of 600 m. A great reduction in krill abundance in winter was detected from both ROV surveys and continuous plankton recorder records. Meganyctiphanes norvegica was observed feeding on benthic particulate organic matter on the seafloor and being consumed by benthic and epibenthic predators. The maximum density of M. norvegica at 480 m depth was 596 ± 261 individuals m–3. This represents a standing stock of 12.8 ± 5.6 g C m–3 with an egestion rate of 0.63 ± 0.28 g C m–3 day–1. Meganyctiphanes norvegica potentially provides an important source of carbon for communities in the deep waters of the Faroe–Shetland Channel.
Carbon flux, distribution, Faroe-Shetland Channel, Meganyctiphanes norvegica, ROV imaging, vertical migration
1745-1000
48-60
Hirai, Junya
e28c2218-8ae2-45c2-a339-5a2bab8c20ae
Jones, Daniel O.B.
44fc07b3-5fb7-4bf5-9cec-78c78022613a
Hirai, Junya
e28c2218-8ae2-45c2-a339-5a2bab8c20ae
Jones, Daniel O.B.
44fc07b3-5fb7-4bf5-9cec-78c78022613a

Hirai, Junya and Jones, Daniel O.B. (2012) The temporal and spatial distribution of krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica) at the deep seabed of the Faroe–Shetland Channel, UK: A potential mechanism for rapid carbon flux to deep sea communities. Marine Biology Research, 8 (1), 48-60. (doi:10.1080/17451000.2011.594891).

Record type: Article

Abstract

The temporal and spatial distribution of Meganyctiphanes norvegica near the seabed (<5 m above the seafloor) was investigated using remotely operated vehicle (ROV) video footage from eight sites in the Faroe–Shetland Channel. Meganyctiphanes norvegica was most abundant near the seabed at 400–600 m depth, which corresponds to a temperature transitional region between shallower warmer water and deeper cold water. Densities of M. norvegica were significantly lower in the warm water, and no krill were detected at 900–1500 m depth in the cold water. Meganyctiphanes norvegica densities declined at night owing to daily vertical migrations. Time-series analysis showed higher krill densities at 06:00–09:00 and 18:00–21:00 at a depth of 400–480 m and at 12:00–15:00 at a depth of 600 m. A great reduction in krill abundance in winter was detected from both ROV surveys and continuous plankton recorder records. Meganyctiphanes norvegica was observed feeding on benthic particulate organic matter on the seafloor and being consumed by benthic and epibenthic predators. The maximum density of M. norvegica at 480 m depth was 596 ± 261 individuals m–3. This represents a standing stock of 12.8 ± 5.6 g C m–3 with an egestion rate of 0.63 ± 0.28 g C m–3 day–1. Meganyctiphanes norvegica potentially provides an important source of carbon for communities in the deep waters of the Faroe–Shetland Channel.

This record has no associated files available for download.

More information

Published date: 2012
Keywords: Carbon flux, distribution, Faroe-Shetland Channel, Meganyctiphanes norvegica, ROV imaging, vertical migration
Organisations: Marine Biogeochemistry

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 207495
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/207495
ISSN: 1745-1000
PURE UUID: 8e9408e3-4259-4785-8ab7-0671d4a32095

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 10 Jan 2012 10:37
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 04:39

Export record

Altmetrics

Contributors

Author: Junya Hirai
Author: Daniel O.B. Jones

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×