2019 – Page 13 – Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative

Conceptual representation of transport of sinking particles. In Spring 2012 (a) particles collected at traps originated from confined, common areas to the north of the traps far from large mesoscale features. In Fall 2012 (b) a large Loop Current eddy dominated the circulation, and particles collected at GC600 originated from the eddy periphery and from inshore, river-influenced high-productive waters. For more details, see Figure 7 in the publication (used with permission from Guangpeng Liu).

Study Simulates How Large and Small Circulations Influence Sinking Marine Particles

January 17, 2019

Scientists used 3D regional ocean model simulations and sediment trap data to investigate how large (mesoscale) and small (submesoscale) circulations affect the transport of sinking particles, or marine snow, in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Small-scale convergence and divergence processes (a few kilometers) and cross-shore transport of riverine inputs induced by mesoscale eddies significantly influenced the speed and trajectory of sinking particles in offshore waters.

Oysters, credit Louisiana Sea Grant College Program Oyster Art 2004.

Smithsonian Highlights Research on Oyster Resilience During Oil Spills

January 15, 2019

The Smithsonian’s Ocean Portal published an article that describes how oysters (that filter up to 50 gallons of water a day) fare under hazardous environmental conditions.

A numerical model produced patterns of total oil mass in the water column 36 hours after dispersant application of dispersant in a small target area on the surface. The portion of the slick impacted by the dispersant (“dispersed oil”) disconnects from the main plume, being transported in a different direction at much lower speed. Image provided by Charles Meneveau.

Study Simulates Effectiveness of Chemical Dispersant Applications

January 10, 2019

Scientists developed a modeling framework that includes small-scale fluid dynamics to investigate how dispersant application during Deepwater Horizon may have affected oil biodegradation and the environment.

Professor Antonietta Quigg. Used with permission, Shantelle Patterson-Swanson, Communications Manager, Texas A&M University.

Texas A&M Honors Antonietta Quigg with Regents Professor Award

January 8, 2019

The Gulf of Mexico Research initiative (GoMRI) congratulates Dr. Antonietta Quigg for her distinction of Regents Professor of Marine Biology and Oceanography at Texas A&M University.