Spatial pattern and biochemical content of North Sea zooplankton (Belgian coast) [1979-1980]

Seasonal changes in chlorophyl and zooplankton concentrations have been studied in comparison with its biochemical content (proteins, lipids and carbohydrates).Zooplankton biomass shows a first peak in spring and a second one in autumn in the offshore area but only one in spring in the coastal area. Zooplankton and phytoplankton are distributed into two patches (zooplankton offshore and phytoplankton near the coast). A maximum lipid content suggesting a higher nutritional activity was observed in the central area interposed between the two patches. The lipid content of the zooplankton increases from spring up to autumn and decreases at the end of the winter, just before the spring bloom