Biomass size spectra of net plankton in the adjacent area near the Yangtze River Estuary in spring

Based on data from survey carried out in spring 2005, the biomass size spectra of net plankton were explored in the adjacent sea of Yangtze River Estuary. Results revealed an approximately continuous size distribution of plankton individuals, from phytoplankton (5–250 μm cell−1 in equivalent sphere diameter (ESD), 15 pg–146 ng C cell−1) to zooplankton (120 μm–2 cm ESD, 115 ng–7.5 mg C ind−1). The normalized spectra (carbon scale) were linear with slope ranged from –0.889 to –0.445, and intercept ranged from 12.866 to 16.863 (all stations together, slope = –0.606, intercept = 19.448), indicating strong deviations from the ideal value (slope = –1.22) of a steady pelagic ecosystem. Correlation analysis presented that intercept and regression coefficient of net plankton size spectra had significant relationship with plankton biomass size diversity.