Transport processes and exchange of materials and properties between shallow and deep waters in the Gulf of Mexico
Transport processes and exchange of materials and properties between shallow and deep waters in the Gulf of Mexico
Abstract:
A 15 year ROMS simulation of the circulation in the Gulf of Mexico is used to study the exchange between the coastal region (shelf and slope) and the deep ocean.
Model simulation shows the continuous presence of eddies, intense upwelling and the associated convergence/divergence processes in specific regions, suggesting
that cross-shelf transport can be very important for the dynamics and fertilization of the Gulf. Model results indicate that the exchange between the costal zone
and the deep ocean takes place through processes that enhance the instability of coastal currents and generate meanders, fronts, and cross-shelf jets, or by the
interactions of mesoscale structures with the topography resulting in strong horizontal and vertical exchanges. Previous studies have shown that the interaction
of mesoscale eddies with the continental shelf can produce instability of coastal currents generating an offshore secondary circulation, however, our results also
show strong shoreward fluxes associated with areas of prominent bathymetric features (tips and bumps). Eulerian and Lagrangian approaches are followed to quantify
the exchange of particles between the shelf and the deep ocean and have a complete picture of the cross-shelf transport processes.
Model simulation shows the continuous presence of eddies, intense upwelling and the associated convergence/divergence processes in specific regions, suggesting
that cross-shelf transport can be very important for the dynamics and fertilization of the Gulf. Model results indicate that the exchange between the costal zone
and the deep ocean takes place through processes that enhance the instability of coastal currents and generate meanders, fronts, and cross-shelf jets, or by the
interactions of mesoscale structures with the topography resulting in strong horizontal and vertical exchanges. Previous studies have shown that the interaction
of mesoscale eddies with the continental shelf can produce instability of coastal currents generating an offshore secondary circulation, however, our results also
show strong shoreward fluxes associated with areas of prominent bathymetric features (tips and bumps). Eulerian and Lagrangian approaches are followed to quantify
the exchange of particles between the shelf and the deep ocean and have a complete picture of the cross-shelf transport processes.