Nutrition and Distribution of Arctic Marine Zooplankton in Relation to the Physical Environment
Principal Investigator: Gustavson, Kent (2)
Licence Number: 11046
Organization: Department of Biology, Dalhousie University
Licensed Year(s): 1991 1990
Issued: Jan 01, 1991
Project Team: Self

Objective(s): To establish the vertical distribution of zooplankton across Barrow Strait and in the vicinity of Resolute Bay; to establish the vertical distribution of phytoplankton and account for the epontic algae across Barrow Strait; to establish the overall condition of the zooplankton (feeding and metabolic activity, with particular emphasis on the copepod Pseudocalanus) as it relates to their distribution; to account for the physical and chemcial parameters in Barrow Strait waters (currents, salinity and temperature, with particular emphasis on the boundary-layer effect under the ice and its ramifications for herbivory on epontic algae)

Project Description: The Researcher will continue to study the distribution of phytoplankton and zooplankton in the Barrow Strait area. The herbivourous plankton species which feed on the marine algae and phytoplankton is the first step in the arctic food chain. It is the herbivorous plankton which is the source of food for other animals which ultimately provides food for all other higher arctic animals.