Distribution, Abundance, and Energy Utilization of Zooplankton and Micronekton from a Winter Ice Edge.

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The Antarctic winter season is a critical period in the life-histories of much of the pelagic community, and the relation of the pelagic biota to the winter ice edge is unexplored. The composition, abundance, and vertical and horizontal structure of the micronekton and zooplankton communities in the vicinity of a marginal ice zone was examined during the austral winter, 1988, using midwater trawling techniques and vertical net tows. Sampling was conducted in the upper 1000m of the water column in the open water, marginal ice zone, and pack-ice dominated communities. In addition, the feeding patterns of all major species were studied through direct analysis of diet, metabolism of all species through direct analysis of oxygen consumption rate, and their proximate and elemental composition. The resultant data gives a complete spectrum of response to the winter season and the winter ice edge, from the physiology and chemical make-up of the individuals to the vertical and horizontal structure of the zooplankton and micronekton communities. This award will allow for the complete analysis of all data sets.