PECULIARITIES OF MESOPLANKTON AND MACROPLANKTON VERTICAL-DISTRIBUTION IN THE CENTRAL TROPICAL AREAS OF THE NORTHERN PACIFIC-OCEAN

Vertical distribution of the total biomass and of the major meso- and macroplankton groups in the central oligotrophic areas of the Northern Pacific is considered based on the collections with the 150 l water bottles and the BR 113/140 plankton net as well as on direct counts from the <<Mir>> submersible. The mesoplankton biomass in the upper 200 m layer varies from 3.1 to 8.6 g/m2, however, at local patches of salps it may become as great as 98 g/m2. In macroplankton from depths down to 2-3 km gelatinous animals prevail over other forms giving 97-98% in wet weight and more than 30-70% in C(org). They are followed by micronecton fishes (up to 40% in C(org)). The role of biomass of other groups accounted visually from the <<Mir>> submersible is negligible. The specific distribution of animals at some stations is discussed.