Dispersal and Retention of Benthic Invertebrate Larvae in Flows Near a Seamount
2006
Mullineaux, Lauren S.
Field studies indicate that the distribution of benthic invertebrate larvae in the plankton around Fieberling Guyot is strongly influenced by topographically-modified mesoscale flows. An anticyclonic circulation feature was observed over the seamount, with flows oriented outward near the surface of the seamount, and inward several hundred meters above. Larval distributions were compressed vertically near the seamount, but extended laterally 10's of km at the level of the seamount summit-a result that is consistent with the downwelling and outwelling flows observed near the seamount summit. These results indicate that larvae are not retained directly above the seamount in a Taylor Cap, but may be retained in the larger-scale circulation feature. During the course of the project, a new recruitment panel for quantitative larval studies was designed, seasonal spawning of several seamount coral species was observed, and enhanced abundances of seabirds were documented near the seamount. On Volcano 7, a striking benthic zonation pattern corresponded to the vertical excursion of the oxygen minimum as it cycled diurnally in internal waves-in effect producing a deep-sea intertidal zone
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