Simulation analysis of moored fluorometer time series from the Mid-Atlantic Bight: Progress report, FY 1988--1989

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6031443· OSTI ID:6031443

Walsh, J. J.; Dieterle, D. A.; Gregg, W. W.; Pribble, J. R.

A two-layered baroclinic circulation model and a 21-layered biochemical model are used to explore the consequences of Loop Current-induced upwelling and terrestrial eutrophication on ''new''production within the Gulf of Mexico. During a quasi-annual penetration and eddy-shedding cycle of the Loop Current, the simulated seasonal changes of incident radiation, wind stress, and surface mixed layer depth induce an annual cycle of algal biomass that corresponds to in situ and satellite time series of chlorophyll. The simulated nitrate fields match those of shipboard surveys, while fallout of particulate matter approximates that caught in sediment traps and accumulating in bottom sediments. Assuming an f ratio of 0.06--0.12, the total primary production of the Gulf of Mexico might be 105--210 g C m /sup /minus//2 yr/sup /minus//1 in the absence of anthropogenic nutrient loadings, i.e., 2--3 fold that of oligotrophic regions not impacted by western boundary currents. Less than 25% of the nitrogen effluent of the Mississippi River may be stored in bottom sediments, with most of this input dispersed in dissolved form beneath the pycnocline, after remineralization of particulate detritus within several production cycles derived from riverine loading. At a sinking rate of 3 m day /sup /minus//1, however, sufficient phytodetritus survives oxidation in the water column to balance estimates of bottom metabolism and burial at the margins.

• Research Organization: University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL (USA). Dept. of Marine Science
• DOE Contract Number: FG05-85ER60285
• OSTI ID: 6031443
• Report Number(s): DOE/ER/60285-6; ON: DE89015814
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520500 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
58 GEOSCIENCES
580500* -- Oceanography-- (1980-1989)
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CARBON CYCLE
COASTAL WATERS
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
CONTINENTAL SHELF
DOCUMENT TYPES
GRAZING
MID-ATLANTIC BIGHT
OCEANOGRAPHY
PHYTOPLANKTON
PLANKTON
PROGRESS REPORT
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
ZOOPLANKTON