The mesozooplankton distribution in the upper water layer (up to 200 m) off Marseilles (NW Mediterranean Sea) was studied during 22 cruises performed between March 1992 and February 1995. Four stations (M1, M3, M5 and M7) were investigated along a coast-open sea transect. Spatial and seasonal variations of zooplankton were described using different quantitative parameters: biomass (dry weight, carbon, nitrogen), displacement volume (biovolume) and abundance of total organisms. C/N ratio, dry weight per individual and volume per individual were also calculated. The seasonal quantitative variations occurring at the four stations were not well synchronized. Annual maximum biomass was observed during spring and summer at M1 but only in early spring at the... |