1. Influence of Flow and Turbulence on Benthic and Pelagic Primary Production in the NE Gulf of Mexico
Tommy Van Horn and Jay Hooper
Fall 2007
Forecasted currents. (4hr increment)
Forecast wind field. (4hr increment)
K-tower line
YSI
ADCP
Instrumentation
ABSTRACT
An ADCP is a current-measuring instrument that transmits high-frequency acoustic signals (300 kHz). Current is determined by a Doppler shift in the backscatter echo from plankton, suspended Sediment, and bubbles , all assumed to be moving passively with the mean speed of the water.
We expect light measurements to show whether benthic primary production is possible. Water samples will be taken and placed in laboratory incubation at in-situ light and conditions showing the potential production of the water column at surface light conditions. A time series will also be constructed to show the dependency of the water column and the benthic production on boundary flow intensity and direction (i.e, higher production after stagnation periods or higher production associated with lower/higher flows). We will also develop a statistical model of the different transport mechanisms impacting the water column (i.e. wind, tides, waves, loop current effects and turbulence.) and determine which mechanism have largest impact on the flow through the water column.
The YSI is a sonde designed for in-situ monitoring and profiling with the abilities to detect salinity, temperature, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, chlorophyll, and blue-green algae.