The Gulf of Mexico

We are using a novel approach  developed by Vincent Rossi and Enrico Ser-Giacomi for the Mediterranean and applying it to study the flow in the Gulf of Mexico. Transport, connectivity, and dispersal within and outside of the Gulf of Mexico can impact important processes like biological and pollutant dispersal. We use ocean velocity data from HYCOM to push particles around the Gulf of Mexico and analyze the particle movement based on the state of the Loop Current (which brings water in through the Yucatan Channel and exits around Florida, Section 1). Sometimes the Loop Current is retracted, meaning it barely enters into the Gulf, or it is extended, where the water flows all the way up towards the Louisiana-Texas shelf. The Loop Current sometimes detaches and forms eddies (anticyclonic rings) that flow westward in the Gulf of Mexico until they dissipate.  We track these particles across a grid and compile their movement (Section 2) based on Loop Current state to determine hydrodynamic provinces (areas where nodes are strongly connected to one another and weakly connected outside the area, Section 3). The initial comparison between prolonged extended events and prolonged retracted events yielded notable differences in province areas (Section 4). This provided confidence that the Loop Current does indeed influence transport and dispersal dynamics in the Gulf of Mexico.
Thus,  the research continues!

My preliminary research poster presented at the TACCSTER 2020 Virtual Conference.