SMALL-SCALE VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF ZOOPLANKTON IN THE CATALAN SEA: RELATIONSHIPS WITH PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The patterns of the vertical distribution of mesozooplankton in relation to physical and biological heterogeneities were studied in a 5 day time series at a fixed station in the Catalan Sea (NW Mediterranean). CTD, microturbulence, and TAPS ® (high-resolution acoustic probe) profiles, and depth -stratified LHPR® hauls from 15 depth -strata (from 0 to 200 m depth), were alternated along the time series. Strong density gradients and microturbulence (epsilon), related to deep fluorescence layers were determinant for the daylight distribution of zooplankton.