The study investigated the influence of upwelling-driven changes in physicochemical conditions and phytoplankton structure on the carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope composition of particulate organic matter (POM) and major zooplankton groups (crustaceans, chaetognaths, and fish larvae) in the eastern Arabian Sea (EAS) during the 2018 summer monsoon (SM). Enhanced upwelling in the early and peak phases stimulated diatom-dominated blooms (73–91 %) resulting in elevated Chla concentrations (1.39 ± 1.09 and 3.94 ± 3.38 μg L−1). In contrast late-phase upwelling conditions were characterised by a deeper nitracline, leading to a shift towards smaller phytoplankton and dinoflagellates. The δ13C of POM (−21.8 ± 1.9 ‰) remained relatively enriched throughout, reflecting a sustained contribution from micro-phytoplankton. In contrast, δ15N of POM increased during late-monsoon (9.0 ± 2.5 ‰), consistent with nitrogen loss processes under low-oxygen conditions. Zooplankton δ13C and δ15N values exhibited similar phase-dependent pattern, indicating strong coupling with POM. Group-level isotopic signatures and trophic positions (TPs) revealed distinct feeding strategies: crustaceans exhibited herbivorous diets and lower TPs, whereas chaetognaths, and fish larvae occupied higher TPs indicative of carnivory. These findings underscore the dominant role of micro-phytoplankton (diatoms and dinoflagellates) in sustaining a shorter, classical food-chain during upwelling. This study provides the first regional-scale isotopic baseline for the EAS SM, with implications for isoscape development and trophodynamic modelling.
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