Alexis Lugo-Fernández

Biologic and geologic responses to physical processes: examples from modern reef systems of the Caribbean-Atlantic region

Abstract Coral reefs and associated depositional environments of the Caribbean-Atlantic region have characteristics that reflect control by physical processes, both oceanic and atmospheric. Wave direction and wave power help determine sites for productive reef development and shape reef morphology as well as community structure. Spur and groove orientations reflect changes in direction of waves as they refract across a reef-dominated shelf. Abrupt topography of reef-dominated shelf margins interacts with tidally modulated flows to create an energetic and productive deep reef environment which is buffered from the modifying effects of forceful wave action. Shallow wave-reef interactions involve dissipative effects of wave breaking, turbulence, and friction, resulting in measured wave energy transformations ranging from 72 to 97% depending on reef configuration and water depth. Dissipative processes produce strong reef-normal surge currents that transport sediment lagoonward, drive backreef lagoon circulation, and influence fluid flow and diagenesis within the reef. The intensity of these processes is modulated at the tidal frequency. Other long period waves (infragravity) are important agents of mass transport of water and fine sediment. Low speed, long duration currents forced by long waves are potentially important for transporting larvae as well as fine sediment out of a given reef-lagoon system. Ocean-scale currents impinging on steep island and continental margin topography may cause reef-limiting upwelling and nutrient loading. The Caribbean Current upwells on the Nicaragua shelf and carbonate platforms of the Nicaraguan Rise. High trophic resources favor algal rather than coral communities and large (20–30 m relief) Halimeda biotherms occupy niches normally reserved for coral reefs. Thermodynamic air-sea interactions (heat, moisture and momentum flux) regulate the physical properties of reef lagoon and bank top waters. In extra-tropical reef settings (e.g. Bermuda, Florida, Bahamas and Arabian Gulf) cold air outbreaks cause precipitous drops in bank water temperatures and significant increases in bank water salinity and suspended sediment load. Water temperatures are routinely forced below the limit for survival of reef corals and many species of calcareous green algae. Associated increases in the density of shallow waters produce a disequilibrium with surface waters of the adjacent ocean favoring shelf transport to deep water sites of reef development and beyond.

Water level and currents of tidal and infragravity periods at Tague Reef, St. Croix (USVI)

Abstract A two-week study, at Tague Reef, St. Croix, USVI investigated the magnitude and spatial variation of tides, sea level differences, infragravity waves, and unidirectional cross-reef currents on a modern coral reef. Infragravity oscillations of water level (∼ 27 min period) of 1–2 cm height correlate with a quarter wavelength resonance over the shelf. Particle displacements associated with these waves may be important to the dispersive characteristics of the reef environment. Estimates of cross-reef mass transport per unit width ranged from 0.058 to 0.032 m2s -1. Sea level differences across the reef (1–4 cm) varied at diurnal and infragravity periods with contributions from wave set-up, and a small contribution from cross-shelf wind stress to the observed sea level differences. The quadratic bottom friction coefficient over the reef was estimated at 0.06–0.2, 20–70 times greater than on open shelves, reflecting the reef’s extreme bottom roughness.

Observations of high speed deep currents in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Recent measurements in water depths of 2000 m in the vicinity of the Sigsbee Escarpment, south of New Orleans, show the presence of recurring high speed current episodes, some of which had velocities greater than 85 cm/s only 10 m above the local bottom. In the Gulf of Mexico, currents above about 1000 m are not locally coupled with the relatively depth-independent currents in the deeper layers. Topographic Rossby waves, with periods of approximately 10 to 14 days, appear to control the dynamics of the lower water-column.

First Autonomous Bio-Optical Profiling Float in the Gulf of Mexico Reveals Dynamic Biogeochemistry in Deep Waters

Profiling floats equipped with bio-optical sensors well complement ship-based and satellite ocean color measurements by providing highly-resolved time-series data on the vertical structure of biogeochemical processes in oceanic waters. This is the first study to employ an autonomous profiling (APEX) float in the Gulf of Mexico for measuring spatiotemporal variability in bio-optics and hydrography. During the 17-month deployment (July 2011 to December 2012), the float mission collected profiles of temperature, salinity, chlorophyll fluorescence, particulate backscattering (bbp), and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) fluorescence from the ocean surface to a depth of 1,500 m. Biogeochemical variability was characterized by distinct depth trends and local “hot spots”, including impacts from mesoscale processes associated with each of the water masses sampled, from ambient deep waters over the Florida Plain, into the Loop Current, up the Florida Canyon, and eventually into the Florida Straits. A deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) occurred between 30 and 120 m, with the DCM depth significantly related to the unique density layer ρ = 1023.6 (R2 = 0.62). Particulate backscattering, bbp, demonstrated multiple peaks throughout the water column, including from phytoplankton, deep scattering layers, and resuspension. The bio-optical relationship developed between bbp and chlorophyll (R2 = 0.49) was compared to a global relationship and could significantly improve regional ocean-color algorithms. Photooxidation and autochthonous production contributed to CDOM distributions in the upper water column, whereas in deep water, CDOM behaved as a semi-conservative tracer of water masses, demonstrating a tight relationship with density (R2 = 0.87). In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, this research lends support to the use of autonomous drifting profilers as a powerful tool for consideration in the design of an expanded and integrated observing network for the Gulf of Mexico.

Environmental Assessment of the Impact of Ozone to the Neuston of the Sea-Surface Microlayer of the Gulf of Mexico

Substantial amounts of NOx (∼146 000 t/y) and total hydrocarbons (∼294 000 t/y) are released to the marine atmosphere by the large number of oil and gas operations over Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Under appropriate meteorological conditions these emissions react to form ozone (0–54 μg/m3 over-water) which can affect the marine environment. Using a dry deposition model, this work examines the amount of ozone derived from oil and gas offshore operations and deposited in the sea surface of the Gulf of Mexico, and assesses its impact on the neuston of the sea-surface microlayer. Surface integrated estimates of ozone deposited from oil and gas operations over the sea surface ranges from 400 kg to 1800 kg which results in sea surface concentrations of ∼15 μg/m3. This estimate and the actual toxic ozone levels suggest no acute, toxic impacts to the neuston. However, indirect effects may occur through changes to the pelagic foodwebs and organic carbon pathways. Another potential pathway for ozone impacting the environment is through the production of bromate. Based on the concentrations and time scales (11–139 days) only sublethal effects appear to occur, but uncertainties associated with this assessment need to be further studied. From an ecological perspective, the environmental impacts and risks of NOx and VOC discharges from offshore platforms need to be assessed for neuston and other components of the marine ecosystem.