Storm-Induced Injection of the Mississippi River Plume Into the Open Gulf of Mexico
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-12-2004
Department
Marine Science
Abstract
The direct impact of the Mississippi River on the open Gulf of Mexico is typically considered to be limited due to the predominantly along-shore current pattern. Using satellite imagery, we analyzed chl a distributions in the northern Gulf of Mexico before and after the passage of two storms: Hurricane Lili and Tropical Storm Barry. Our analyses indicate that storm-induced eddies can rapidly inject large volumes of nutrient-rich Mississippi River water to the open gulf, and lead to phytoplankton blooms. Although these events last only a few weeks, they transport significant amounts of fluvial substances to the ocean. These river-ocean interactions are especially significant in tropical and subtropical regions because receiving waters are typically permanently stratified and oligotrophic.
Publication Title
Journal of Polymer Science Part A-Polymer Chemistry
Volume
31
Issue
9
Recommended Citation
Yuan, J.,
Miller, R. L.,
Powell, R. T.,
Dagg, M. J.
(2004). Storm-Induced Injection of the Mississippi River Plume Into the Open Gulf of Mexico. Journal of Polymer Science Part A-Polymer Chemistry, 31(9).
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/3267