Modeling ocean circulation and biogeochemical variability in the Gulf of Mexico
A three-dimensional coupled physical-biogeochemical model is applied to simulate and examine temporal and spatial variability of circulation and biogeochemical cycling in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). The model is driven by realistic atmospheric forcing, open boundary conditions from a data assimilative...
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2013-11-01
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doaj-a2f7e93344204bf7a069da2c6f2600a22020-11-25T00:59:47ZengCopernicus PublicationsBiogeosciences1726-41701726-41892013-11-0110117219723410.5194/bg-10-7219-2013Modeling ocean circulation and biogeochemical variability in the Gulf of MexicoZ. Xue0R. He1K. Fennel2W.-J. Cai3S. Lohrenz4C. Hopkinson5Dept. of Marine, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USADept. of Marine, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USADept. of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, CanadaSchool of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USASchool for Marine Science and Technology, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, New Bedford, MA 02747, USADept. of Marine Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USAA three-dimensional coupled physical-biogeochemical model is applied to simulate and examine temporal and spatial variability of circulation and biogeochemical cycling in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). The model is driven by realistic atmospheric forcing, open boundary conditions from a data assimilative global ocean circulation model, and observed freshwater and terrestrial nitrogen input from major rivers. A 7 yr model hindcast (2004–2010) was performed, and validated against satellite observed sea surface height, surface chlorophyll, and in situ observations including coastal sea level, ocean temperature, salinity, and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentration. The model hindcast revealed clear seasonality in DIN, phytoplankton and zooplankton distributions in the GoM. An empirical orthogonal function analysis indicated a phase-locked pattern among DIN, phytoplankton and zooplankton concentrations. The GoM shelf nitrogen budget was also quantified, revealing that on an annual basis the DIN input is largely balanced by the removal through denitrification (an equivalent of ~ 80% of DIN input) and offshore exports to the deep ocean (an equivalent of ~ 17% of DIN input).http://www.biogeosciences.net/10/7219/2013/bg-10-7219-2013.pdf |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Z. Xue R. He K. Fennel W.-J. Cai S. Lohrenz C. Hopkinson |
spellingShingle |
Z. Xue R. He K. Fennel W.-J. Cai S. Lohrenz C. Hopkinson Modeling ocean circulation and biogeochemical variability in the Gulf of Mexico Biogeosciences |
author_facet |
Z. Xue R. He K. Fennel W.-J. Cai S. Lohrenz C. Hopkinson |
author_sort |
Z. Xue |
title |
Modeling ocean circulation and biogeochemical variability in the Gulf of Mexico |
title_short |
Modeling ocean circulation and biogeochemical variability in the Gulf of Mexico |
title_full |
Modeling ocean circulation and biogeochemical variability in the Gulf of Mexico |
title_fullStr |
Modeling ocean circulation and biogeochemical variability in the Gulf of Mexico |
title_full_unstemmed |
Modeling ocean circulation and biogeochemical variability in the Gulf of Mexico |
title_sort |
modeling ocean circulation and biogeochemical variability in the gulf of mexico |
publisher |
Copernicus Publications |
series |
Biogeosciences |
issn |
1726-4170 1726-4189 |
publishDate |
2013-11-01 |
description |
A three-dimensional coupled physical-biogeochemical model is applied to
simulate and examine temporal and spatial variability of circulation and
biogeochemical cycling in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). The model is driven by
realistic atmospheric forcing, open boundary conditions from a data
assimilative global ocean circulation model, and observed freshwater and
terrestrial nitrogen input from major rivers. A 7 yr model hindcast
(2004–2010) was performed, and validated against satellite observed sea
surface height, surface chlorophyll, and in situ observations including
coastal sea level, ocean temperature, salinity, and dissolved inorganic
nitrogen (DIN) concentration. The model hindcast revealed clear seasonality
in DIN, phytoplankton and zooplankton distributions in the GoM. An empirical
orthogonal function analysis indicated a phase-locked pattern among DIN,
phytoplankton and zooplankton concentrations. The GoM shelf nitrogen budget
was also quantified, revealing that on an annual basis the DIN input is
largely balanced by the removal through denitrification (an equivalent of
~ 80% of DIN input) and offshore exports to the deep ocean
(an equivalent of ~ 17% of DIN input). |
url |
http://www.biogeosciences.net/10/7219/2013/bg-10-7219-2013.pdf |
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