Northern Curonian Lagoon in the Southeast Baltic Sea, data set limits: 55 16 - 55 44N; 21 01 - 21 17E

Zooplankton taxonomy-related abundance per unit volume of the water column; Zooplankton non taxonomy-related abundance per unit volume of the water column; Zooplankton biovolume

Plankton nets

The zooplankton is an important indicator in the assessment of environmental state, pollution level. It is an important link between the phytoplankton and higher trophic level such as fish. The purpose of the research - to describe the community structure and the spatial distribution in species composition, abundance within the research area as well as to evaluate seasonal and long term variability in the zooplankton. In accordance with the national Curonian Lagoon monitoring programme, sampling of zooplankton is carried out every month at 8-10 monitoring stations in the north part of the Lagoon which belongs to Lithuania. Samples are taken from the bottom to the surface water layers using small Dzedi net from expedition cutter 'Gintaras' according to HELCOM methods. The data are fully quality controlled. Systematic certification of laboratories, participation in international intercalibrations, internal control, introduced managing system for research' quality determine quality of data. All data is stored in archive (written form) and is saved on hard disk.

Department of Marine Research of the Environmental Protection Agency
Taikos Av. 26
Klaipeda

LT-91149
Lithuania