Equatorial Pacific Mesozooplankton Biomass Measurements from 1992 Cruises

1992 data from the JGOFS Equatorial Pacific Process Study (EQPAC) measures mesozooplankton biomass across four size classes. The dataset was collected during four research cruises along 140°W longitude, from 17°S to 12°N, using MOCNESS net tows. It was compiled by the SCIOPS organization from the Joint Global Ocean Flux Study.

Use Cases

• Modeling carbon export by analyzing biomass (mgC/m^3) relationships across four size classes (2.0-1.0 mm, 1.0-0.5 mm, 0.5-0.2 mm, 0.2-0.064 mm).
• Studying diel vertical migration patterns using biomass data from paired day and night net tows.
• Analyzing spatial biomass gradients across 8 to 15 stations per cruise along a north-south transect at 140°W.
• Investigating biomass distribution across eight sampled depth strata from surface waters down to 1000m.

Strengths

• Data collected during four dedicated research cruises over an 8-month period in 1992.
• Biomass reported for four distinct size fractions and total biomass, providing taxonomic resolution.
• Environmental sensor data (fluorescence, temperature, conductivity, depth) recorded at 1-second intervals during tows.

Limitations

• Temporally limited to a single year (1992), preventing analysis of long-term trends.
• Geographic coverage is restricted to a single longitudinal transect (140°W) in the Pacific.
• Sample size is constrained to stations from four cruises, with only 5 stations on the final cruise.

Provenance

Source

Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) Equatorial Pacific Process Study, hosted by WHOI.

Collection Method

Mesozooplankton collected via 0.25 sq m MOCNESS net tows, wet-sieved into size classes, with biomass measured via CHN analyzer for organic carbon and nitrogen.

Time Range

1992-02-03 to 1992-10-21

Freshness

Static dataset with a final collection date of 1992-10-21.

Geography

Equatorial Pacific Ocean along 140°W longitude, from 17°S to 12°N latitude.