Zooplankton assemblages in the shallow tidal estuary of Mundaka (Bay of Biscay)
Villate, F. (1991). Zooplankton assemblages in the shallow tidal estuary of Mundaka (Bay of Biscay). Cah. Biol. Mar. 32(1): 105-119
In: Cahiers de Biologie Marine. Station Biologique de Roscoff: Paris. ISSN 0007-9723; e-ISSN 2262-3094, more
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Abstract |
Spatial and temporal variability of zooplankton assemblages were studied in the tidal estuary of Mundaka, from May 1981-Jul 1982, in relation to factors controlling estuarine hydrodynamics. Salinity range and maintenance of mixed waters were related to the tidal amplitude and rainfall, which drives river discharge. According to the hierarchical clustering of samples from zooplankton data, summer-autumn, winter and spring periods were separated as seasonal units, which also differed with regard to hydrological features. The mixed water persistency and the development of estuarine species were higher in summer, when low freshwater inflows and neap tides coincided. By contrast, high-salinity waters and neritic zooplankton filled the estuary in spring by the effect of spring tides coupled with low freshwater inflows. |
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