VERTICAL STRUCTURE AND BIOLOGICAL-ACTIVITY IN THE BOTTOM NEPHELOID LAYER OF THE GULF OF MAINE

The bottom nepheloid layer (BNL) was investigated at a number of hydrographically different sites in the Gulf of Maine during August 1987. Observations were based on hydrographic measurements made from a surface ship and closely-spaced, near-bottom samples collected using a submersible. The BNL generally occurred as a turbid layer which extended 15-30 m above the bottom (m.a.b.), as indicated by in situ light transmission and increased concentrations of total suspended particulate matter (SPM). Phytoplankton pigments, electron transport activity (ETS), extracellular proteolytic enzyme activity (EPA), concentrations of particulate organic carbon and nitrogen (POC and PON), and protein were generally elevated in the BNL. They also displayed vertical distribution patterns in relation to near-bottom depth zones of increased abundances of zooplankton, bacteria and autotrophic and heterotrophic nanoplankton. We describe two zones of biological significance in the BNL. The first, at about 20 m.a.b. at most stations, was associated with greater zooplankton biomass (> 80-mu-m) and copepod abundances than those depth strata either above or below, and appeared to be related to a higher quality of food particles near the top of the BNL. A second zone was seen 1-3 m.a.b. at most stations in association with the greatest levels of SPM. This deeper zone was generally of a poorer food quality, as reflected by ratios of protein-N to total-N and showed increases in cell-specific EPA. We discuss the areal variability of the BNL in the Gulf of Maine as well as the biological enhancement and vertical structure as likely influenced by both physical and biological processes.