Zooplankton Community Productivity Determined through Stable Isotope Analysis

Zooplankton Community Productivity Determined through Stable Isotope Analysis

Zooplankton samples were collected from five stations off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Fl, between approximately 8 and 18 km offshore over a one year period in 2007. Zooplankton were sorted taxonomically for carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis. This study shows evidence that a shift in zooplankton diet takes place throughout the year, from lipid rich diatoms to lipid poor dinoflagellates. Additionally, the stable isotope ratios reveal fluctuations in productivity that we have used to trace distinct water masses and meteorlogic conditions. These are the first data of their kind that have used stable isotopes ratios of zooplankton to identify water masses in the ocean.