Planktic foraminiferal production along an offshore–onshore transect in the south-eastern Bay of Biscay

The distribution of planktic foraminifera from the continental slope onto the shelf of the south-eastern Bay of Biscay is discussed in relation to environmental factors. Samples were obtained between March and November, 2006–2008, along a bathymetric transect from 2000 to 145 m water depth, from 50 km off the shelf-break onto the outer shelf. Live specimens and empty tests (>100 μm) were collected with vertical plankton tows from the sea surface to a maximum water depth of 700 m, and temperature, salinity, oxygen concentration, and fluorescence/chlorophyll-a concentration were recorded. Additional data on chlorophyll-a concentration and sea surface temperature were derived from satellite imagery (Aqua MODIS and SeaWIFS). Planktic foraminifera were most abundant in the upper 80 m of the water column at all locations, with decreasing numbers towards the coast in March, April, and June. In November, maximum numbers of live specimens occurred at the outer shelf location. In July, planktic foraminiferal standing stocks were low throughout the sampling area.Chlorophyll-a concentration (i.e., food) and fresh water input were found to affect the abundance of planktic foraminifera along the transect; however we found no influence of water depth or proximity to the shelf.