Comparison of mesozooplankton faecal pellet characteristics from the Southern North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea during spring bloom conditions

Mesozooplankton faecal pellets participate in the carbon and nutrient cycles, in the nutrition of marine organisms, and in the transport of toxins, pollutants, and sediments. The importance of this role depends on their nature and production, which are highly variable parameters that, in turn, depend on many factors. For example, a phytoplankton bloom may significantly change the nature of mesozooplankton faecal pellets because it affects their shape, content, density, and volume.

The aim of the present study is to compare the eutrophic Southern North Sea and the oligotrophic Bay of Calvi in the Meditenanean Sea with respect to the seasonal variability of faecal pellet characteristics (shape, size, sinking speed, density) during bloom conditions.