Oceanography The Official Magazine of
The Oceanography Society
Volume 25 Issue 01

View Issue TOC
Volume 25, No. 1
Pages 269 - 276

OpenAccess

Estimating Zooplankton Biomass Distribution in the Water Column Near the Endeavour Segment of Juan de Fuca Ridge Using Acoustic Backscatter and Concurrently Towed Nets

By Brenda J. Burd  and Richard E. Thomson 
Jump to
Article Abstract Citation References Copyright & Usage
Article Abstract

Logistical challenges, time, and the cost of towed net surveys make it difficult to obtain estimates of secondary biomass and production in the open ocean outside the summer sampling season. Alternate approaches are sometimes needed. This study examines the relationship between biomass obtained from 197 mixed-species zooplankton net samples and proximate acoustic backscatter data collected over six summers, a depth range of 3,000 m, and a spatial scale of 200 km centered at a major hydrothermal region in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. Results show that the acoustic backscatter data from a single-frequency (150 kHz) acoustic Doppler current profiler mounted near the opening of the towed net system accounts for 84% of the variance in total net biomass, despite the remarkable mix of faunal types and depth range, and the broad spatial and temporal extent of the study. We discuss the potential reasons for the minor remaining variance in net biomass. The present findings demonstrate that profiling or moored acoustic backscatter instrumentation can provide a less-challenging methodology than net tows for obtaining bulk estimates of deep-sea zooplankton biomass in the open waters of the Northeast Pacific.

Citation

Burd, B.J., and R.E. Thomson. 2012. Estimating zooplankton biomass distribution in the water column near the Endeavour Segment of Juan de Fuca Ridge using acoustic backscatter and concurrently towed nets. Oceanography 25(1):269–276, https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2012.25.

References

Batchelder, H.P. 1985. Seasonal abundance, vertical distribution, and life history of Metridia pacifica (Copepoda: Calanoida) in the oceanic subarctic Pacific. Deep-Sea Research Part A 32:949–964, https://doi.org/10.1016/0198-0149(85)90038-X.

Barnes, C., M. Best, F. Johnson, P. Phibbs, and B. Pirenne. 2008. Transforming the ocean sciences through cabled observatories. Marine Technology Reporter 30–36, October 2008, http://dwp.marinelink.com/pubs/nwm/MT/200810/index.asp?pgno=11.

Benoit-Bird, J.J., and W.W.L. Au. 2004. Diel migration dynamics of an island-associated sound scattering layer. Deep-Sea Research Part I 51:707–719, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2004.01.004.

Berg, C.J., and C.L. Van Dover. 1987. Benthopelagic macrozooplankton communities at and near deep-sea hydrothermal vents in the eastern Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California. Deep-Sea Research Part A 43:379–401, https://doi.org/10.1016/0198-0149(87)90144-0.

Brierley, A.S., M.A. Brandon, and J.L. Watkins. 1998. An assessment of the utility of an acoustic Doppler current profiler for biomass estimation. Deep-Sea Research Part I 45(9):1,555–1,573, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0967-0637(98)00012-0.

Burd, B.J., R.E. Thomson, and G.S. Jamieson. 1992. Composition of a deep scattering layer overlying a mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal plume. Marine Biology 113:517–526, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00349179.

Burd, B.J., and R.E. Thomson. 1993. Flow volume calculations based on three-dimensional current and net orientation data. Deep-Sea Research Part I 40:1,141–1,153, https://doi.org/10.1016/0967-0637(93)90130-U.

Burd, B.J., and R.E. Thomson. 1994. Hydrothermal venting at Endeavour Ridge: Effect on zooplankton biomass throughout the water column. Deep-Sea Research Part I 41:1,407–1,423, https://doi.org/10.1016/0967-0637(94)90105-8.

Burd, B.J., and R.E. Thomson. 1995. Distribution of zooplankton associated with the Endeavour Ridge hydrothermal plume. Journal of Plankton Research 17:965–997, https://doi.org/10.1093/plankt/17.5.965.

Burd, B.J., R.E. Thomson, and S.E. Calvert. 2002. Isotopic composition of hydrothermal epiplume zooplankton: Evidence of enhanced carbon recycling in the water column. Deep-Sea Research Part I 49:1,877–1,900, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0967-0637(02)00089-4.

Cowen, J.P., M.A. Bertram, S. Wakeham, R.E. Thomson, J.W. Lavelle, E.T. Baker, and R.A. Feely. 2001. Ascending and descending particle flux from hydrothermal plumes at Endeavour Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge. Deep-Sea Research Part I 48:1,093–1,120, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0967-0637(00)00070-4.

Delaney, J.R., V. Robigou, and R.E. McDuff. 1992. Geology of a vigorous hydrothermal system on the Endeavour Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge. Journal of Geophysical Research 97: 19,663–19,682, https://doi.org/10.1029/92JB00174.

Demer, D.A., and R.P. Hewitt. 1995. Bias in acoustic biomass estimates of Euphausia superba due to diel vertical migration. Deep-Sea Research Part I 42:455–475, https://doi.org/10.1016/0967-0637(94)E0005-C.

Fielding, S., G. Griffiths, and H.S. Roe. 2004. The biological validation of ADCP acoustic backscatter through direct comparison with net samples and model predictions based on acoustic-scattering models. ICES Journal of Marine Science 61:184–200, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icesjms.2003.10.011.

Fischer, J., and M. Visbeck. 1993. Seasonal variation of the daily zooplankton migration in the Greenland Sea. Deep-Sea Research Part I 40:1,547–1,557, https://doi.org/10.1016/0967-0637(93)90015-U.

Flagg, C.N., and S.L Smith. 1989. On the use of the acoustic Doppler current profiler to measure zooplankton abundance. Deep-Sea Research Part A 36:455–474, https://doi.org/10.1016/0198-0149(89)90047-2.

Foote, K.G., and T.K. Stanton. 2000. Acoustical methods. Pp. 223–258 in ICES Zooplankton Methodology Manual. Academic Press.

Greene, C.H., P.H. Wiebe, A. Pershing, G. Gal, J. Popp, N. Copley, T. Austin, A. Bradley, R. Goldsborough, and J. Dawson. 1998. Assessing the distribution and abundance of zooplankton: A comparison of acoustic and net-sampling methods with D-BAD MOCNESS. Deep-Sea Research Part II 45:1,219–1,237, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0967-0645(98)00033-2.

Heywood, K.J., S. Scrope-Howe, and E.D. Barton. 1991. Estimation of zooplankton abundance from shipborne ADCP backscatter. Deep-Sea Research Part A 38:677–691, https://doi.org/10.1016/0198-0149(91)90006-2.

Hovekamp, S. 1989. Avoidance of nets by Euphausia pacifica in Dabob Bay. Journal of Plankton Research 11:907–924, https://doi.org/10.1093/plankt/11.5.907.

Jiang, S., T.D. Dickey, D.K. Steinberg, and L.P. Madin. 2007. Temporal variability of zooplankton biomass from ADCP backscatter time series data at the Bermuda Testbed Mooring site. Deep-Sea Research Part I 54:608–636, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2006.12.011.

Landry, M.R., and V.L. Fagerness. 1988. Behavioral and morphological influences on predatory interactions among marine copepods. Bulletin of Marine Science 43:509–529.

Lee, K., T. Mukaie, D. Lee, and K. Iida. 2008. Verification of mean volume backscattering strength obtained from acoustic Doppler current profiler by using sound scattering layer. Fisheries Science 74:221–229, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1444-2906.2008.01516.x.

MacLennan, D.N., P.G. Fernandes, and J. Dalen. 2002. A consistent approach to the definitions and symbols in fisheries acoustics. ICES Journal of Marine Sciences 59:365–369, https://doi.org/10.1006/jmsc.2001.1158.

Miller, C.B., and M.J. Clemons. 1988. Revised life history analysis for large grazing copepods in the subarctic Pacific ocean. Progress in Oceanography 20:393–313, https://doi.org/10.1016/0079-6611(88)90044-4.

Miller, C.B., B.W. Frost, H.P. Batchelder, M.J. Clemons, and R.E. Conway. 1984. Life histories of large, grazing copepods in the subarctic ocean gyre: Neocalanus plumchrus, Neocalanus cristatus, and Eucalanus bungii in the northeast Pacific. Progress in Oceanography 13:201–243, https://doi.org/10.1016/0079-6611(84)90009-0.

Mullineaux, L.S., P.H. Wiebe, and E.T. Baker. 1995. Larvae of benthic invertebrates in hydrothermal vent plumes over Juan de Fuca Ridge. Marine Biology 122:585–596, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00350680.

Palmer, D.R., and P.A. Rona. 1990. Comment on “Acoustic Doppler current profiler observations of a mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal plume” by R.E. Thomson et al. Journal of Geophysical Research 95:5,409-5,412, https://doi.org/10.1029/JC095iC04p05409.

Pinot, J.M., and J. Jansá. 2001. Time variability of acoustic backscatter from zooplankton in the Ibiza Channel (Western Mediterranean). Deep Sea Research Part I 48:1,651–1,670, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0967-0637(00)00095-9.

Postel, L., A. Jose de Salva, V. Mohrholz and H.-U. Lass. 2007. Zooplankton biomass variability off Angola and Namibia investigated by a lowered ADCP and net sampling. Journal of Marine Systems 68:143–166, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2006.11.005.

RDI. 1990. Calculating absolute backscatter. RD Instruments, San Diego, CA, 24 pp.

Ressler, P.H. 2002. Acoustic backscatter measurements with a 153 kHz ADCP in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico: Determination of dominant zooplankton and micronekton scatterers. Deep-Sea Research Part I 49:2,035–2,051, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0967-0637(02)00117-6.

Sameoto, D.D. 1980. Quantitative measurements of euphausiids using a 120 kHz sounder and their in situ orientation. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 37:693–703.

Soule, D.C., W.S.D. Wilcock, and R.E. Thomson. 2009. Distribution of fin and blue whales above hydrothermal vent fields on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, northeast Pacific Ocean. Paper presented at the 18th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Quebec City, Canada, October 12–16, 2009.

Stanton, T.K., and D. Chu. 2000. Review and recommendations for the modelling of acoustic scattering by fluid-like elongated zooplankton: Euphausiids and copepods. ICES Journal of Marine Science 57:793–807, https://doi.org/10.1006/jmsc.1999.0517.

Stanton, T.K., R.D.M. Nash, R.L. Eastwood, and R.W. Nero. 1987. A field examination of acoustical scattering from marine organisms at 70 kHz. IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering 12(2):339–348, https://doi.org/10.1109/JOE.1987.1145253.

Tarling, G.A., F. Buchholz, and J.B.L. Matthews. 1999. The effect of a lunar eclipse on the vertical migration behaviour of Meganctiphanes norvegia (Crustacea: Euphausiacea) in the Ligurian sea. Journal of Plankton Research 21:1,475–1,488, https://doi.org/10.1093/plankt/21.8.1475.

Terazaki, M., and C.B. Miller. 1986. Life history and vertical distribution of pelagic chaetognaths at ocean station P in the subarctic Pacific. Deep-Sea Research Part A 33:323–337, https://doi.org/10.1016/0198-0149(86)90094-4.

Thomson, R.E., R.L. Gordon, and J. Dymond. 1989. Acoustic Doppler current profiler observations of a mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal plume. Journal of Geophysical Research 94:4,709–4,720, https://doi.org/10.1029/JC094iC04p04709.

Thomson, R.E., S.E. Roth, and J. Dymond. 1990. Near-inertial motions over a mid-ocean ridge: Effects of topography and hydrothermal plumes. Journal of Geophysical Research 95:7,261–7,278, https://doi.org/10.1029/JC095iC05p07261.

Thomson, R.E., R.L. Gordon, and A.G. Dolling. 1991. An intense acoustic scattering layer at the top of a mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal plume. Journal of Geophysical Research 36:4,839–4,844, https://doi.org/10.1029/90JC02692.

Thomson, R.E., B.J. Burd, A.G. Dolling, R.L. Gordon, and G.S. Jamieson. 1992a. The deep scattering layer associated with the Endeavour Ridge hydrothermal plume. Deep-Sea Research Part A 39:55–73, https://doi.org/10.1016/0198-0149(92)90020-T.

Thomson, R.E., J.R. Delaney, R.E. McDuff, D.R. Janecky, and J.S. McClain. 1992b. Physical characteristics of the Endeavour Ridge Hydrothermal plume during July 1988. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 111:141–154, https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-821X(92)90175-U.

Wakeham, S.G., J.P. Cowen, B.J. Burd, and R.E. Thomson. 2001. Lipid-rich ascending particles from the hydrothermal plume at Endeavour Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 65:923–939, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7037(00)00580-9.

Warren, J.D., and P.H. Wiebe. 2008. Accounting for biological and physical sources of acoustic backscatter improves estimates of zooplankton biomass. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 65:1,321–1,333, https://doi.org/10.1139/F08-047.

Wiebe, P.H., S.H. Boyd, and J.L. Cox. 1982. Avoidance of towed nets by the euphausiid Nematoscelis megalops. Fishery Bulletin 80:75–91.

Wiebe, P.H., N. Copley, C.L. Van Dover, A. Tamse, and F. Manrique. 1988. Deep-water zooplankton of the Guaymas Basin hydrothermal vent field. Deep-Sea Research Part A 35:985–1,013, https://doi.org/10.1016/0198-0149(88)90072-6.

Wilcock, W.S.D., D.C. Soule, and R.E. Thomson. 2009. Tracking fin and blue whales above the Juan de Fuca Ridge with a local seafloor network. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 125(4):2,588.

Wilcock, W.S.D., and R.E. Thomson. 2011. Continuing Investigations of the Relationship Between Fin Whales, Zooplankton Concentrations and Hydrothermal Venting on the Juan de Fuca Ridge. Annual Report for Award Number N00014-08-1-0523, US Office of Naval Research, Washington DC, 9 pp.

Wishner, K.F. 1980. Aspects of the community ecology of deep-sea benthopelagic plankton, with special attention to gymnopleid copepods. Marine Biology 60:179–187.

Zhou, M., W. Nordhausen, and M. Huntley. 1994. ADCP measurements of the distribution and abundance of euphausiids near the Antarctic Peninsula in winter. Deep-Sea Research Part I 41:1,425–1,445, https://doi.org/10.1016/0967-0637(94)90106-6.

Copyright & Usage

This is an open access article made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format as long as users cite the materials appropriately, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate the changes that were made to the original content. Images, animations, videos, or other third-party material used in articles are included in the Creative Commons license unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If the material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission directly from the license holder to reproduce the material.