ELEMENTAL (C, H, N) COMPOSITION OF ZOOPLANKTON FROM NORTH ARABIAN SEA

Zooplankton samples collected from north Arabian Sea during March 1992 were analysed for elemental (C, H, N) composition. Estimated carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen concentrations displayed variations among differ ent groups but their ratios were nearly stable in various samples. Car bon content as percentage of dry weight, varied from 8.2% (thaliacea, ostracoda and amphipoda as major groups) to 44.6% (copepoda and ostrac oda as major groups). Similarly nitrogen content varied from 1.7% in t haliacean dominated hauls to 6.3% in copepods and ostracods dominated hauls. Hydrogen concentration was highest (7.3%) in copepoda and ostra coda and lowest(2.5%) in thaliacea and amphipoda. Mean values of carbo n and nitrogen generated for Arabian Sea zooplankton were found to be much lower than the values presently used in routine conversion factor s. Such factors are now essentially needed for accounting role of zoop lankton in sediment trap collections in Arabian Sea region.