Zooplankton fecal pellets in aquatic ecosystems

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Bioscience; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1307591· OSTI ID:6809668

Turner, J T ^[1]; Ferrante, J G

---

1. Southeastern Massachusetts Univ., North Dartmouth

A growing body of evidence suggests that fecal pellets of crustacean zooplankton may provide a mechanism by which organic and inorganic materials are packaged and translocated to the deep portions of lakes and oceans. The mechanical fragmentation of food items during zooplankton feeding may partly account for the recycling of these materials in the water column. Small pellets recycle organic matter in surface layers and larger pellets are more important in transporting organic matter to the deeper regions. The nutritional content of fecal pellets, fecal pellet membranes, zooplankton coprophagy, recycling of fecal pellet contents, and fecal pellets and pollution are discussed. (RJC)

• OSTI ID: 6809668
• Journal Information: Bioscience; (United States), Journal Name: Bioscience; (United States) Vol. 29:11; ISSN BISNA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
ECOSYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FECES
LAKES
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
NUTRIENTS
PLANKTON
RECYCLING
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
TRANSLOCATION
WASTES
ZOOPLANKTON