Samples were obtained during two cruises (August - September ’97 and March - April ’98). In total, seven stations were sampled; four from the north Aegean and three from the south Aegean Sea. Depth range was from 153 to 1772 m. Samples were sectioned into four layers: 0-1, 1-2, 2-4 and 4-6 cm depth. For nematode identifications, specimens were selected randomly from each of the seven stations as follows: 300 specimens from September ’97 (100 specimens from the first two layers and 50 specimens from each of the two remaining layers) and 100 specimens from March ’98 (100 specimens from the first layer only). For nematode measurements 100 individuals were measured from the 0-1 cm layer only. Additionally, three replicates were taken for chlorophyll a, phaeopigments, organic carbon and nitrogen measurements, while one replicate was taken for sediment grain size and percentage of silt and clay estimations.