Feng, Y. ., Texas A&M University, College Station, USA, cathyyangfeng@neo.tamu.edu
DiMarco, S. ., Texas A&M University, college station, USA, sdimarco@tamu.edu
Chapman, P. ., Texas A&M University, college station, USA, pchapman@lsu.edu

ESTABLISHING METRICS FOR CLASSIFYING THE BIOGEOCHEMICAL PROCESS ZONES OF THE COASTAL LOUISIANA HYPOXIC REGION

Hydrographic, water quality, and nutrient data from the Louisiana shelf are analyzed to produce quantitative criteria for defining process-oriented zones within the hypoxic region rather than geographical regions. We examine data from a series of cruises during 2005 (March, May, July and August) to investigate how surface light transmission, chlorophyll and nutrient concentrations, and water column stability can be used objectively to identify these zones and the transition regions between them that maintain and control coastal hypoxia. The spatial and temporal evolution of these zones can be used to produce a climatology of processes and identify those processes that tend to dominate a given area. Such information complements maps of the frequency of occurrence of hypoxia and could assist coastal managers to better identify regions likely to become hypoxic under a more specific set of physical forcing conditions and variability. Results show significant temporal and spatial differences between the processes occurring on the western and eastern Louisiana Shelf, where physical processes and biochemical processes, respectively, tend to dominate.

Poster presentation

Presentation is given by student: Yes
Session #:194
Date: 03-05-2008
Time: 17:30 - 19:30