A deep protozoan maximum in the Gulf of Maine

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Abstract
A deep maximum in the abundance of larger protozoans (> 35 .mu.m) was found in the Gulf of Maine at depths from 55-100 m, which was well below the euphotic zone, pycnocline, and the depths of peak biomass and production of both phytoplankton and bacteria. Calculations of the energetics of these protozoan populations suggest that they are unable to obtain sufficient nutrition from local microbial production. Organic material, which settles out of the surface layer, might collect at a deep hydrographic anomaly and sustain the protozoans in the deep maximum.