Cross-canyon variability in zooplankton backscattering strength in a river-influenced upwelling area

Abstract

Zooplankton are a key component of food webs in upwelling systems. Their distribution is influenced not only by mesoscale and climate dynamics but also by topography and local currents. Submarine canyons that incise the continental shelf can act as conduits, transporting deep, nutrient-rich waters to shallower regions and promoting coastal biological productivity. Consequently, these canyons facilitate the advection and accumulation of zooplankton. We aimed to describe the spatio-temporal variability in zooplankton distribution (using net samples and acoustic data) and their association with local currents in a long, narrow submarine canyon located in the highly productive continental shelf off central Chile. The backscattering strength (Sv), a proxy for zooplankton biomass, was highly variable on both diurnal and spatial scales. Higher Sv and abundances were found at night, following the classic diel vertical migration pattern. Zooplankton were not uniformly distributed within the canyon. In the surface and mid-depth layers, the canyon walls accumulated more zooplankton than the center, particularly during the nighttime. Within the canyon, the currents were asymmetrical and frequently reversed direction. When the positive along-canyon current was stronger on the northern slope, Sv was also higher on that wall. This pattern was especially evident in the section closer to the canyon head. We show that the Biobio Canyon is a highly dynamic environment where oceanographic conditions can rapidly shift. Our findings suggest a feasible mechanism for zooplankton retention driven mainly by along-canyon flow asymmetry and vertical migrations.