Elemental (C, H, N) composition of zooplankton from north Arabian Sea

Abstract

Zooplankton samples collected from north Arabian Sea during March 1992 were analysed for elemental (C,H,N) composition. Estimated carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen concentrations displayed variations among different groups but their ratios were nearly stable in various samples. Carbon content as percentage of dry weight, varied from 8.2% (thaliacea, ostracoda and amphipoda as major groups) to 44.6% (copepoda and ostracoda as major groups). Similarly nitrogen content varied from 1.7% in thaliacean dominated hauls to 6.3% in copepods and ostracods dominated hauls. Hydrogen concentration was highest (7.3%) in copepoda and ostracoda and lowest 2.5%) in thaliacea and amphipoda. Mean values of carbon and nitrogen generated for Arabian Sea zooplankton were found to be much lower than the values presently used in routine conversion factors. Such factors are now essentially needed for accounting role of zooplankton in sediment trap collections in Arabian Sea region