A Numerical Modeling Study of the Gulf of Mexico Under Present and Past Environmental Conditions.
The Gulf of Mexico is an ideal location for paleoceanographic study using a three-dimensional ocean circulation model because of the availability of data to verify the model for the present. A description of the Gulf of Mexico circulation during the last glacial maximum is beneficial in interpreting...
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ftlouisianastuir:oai:repository.lsu.edu:gradschool_disstheses-7287 2024-09-15T18:20:43+00:00 A Numerical Modeling Study of the Gulf of Mexico Under Present and Past Environmental Conditions. Welsh, Susan Elizabeth 1996-01-01T08:00:00Z application/pdf https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/6288 https://doi.org/10.31390/gradschool_disstheses.6288 https://repository.lsu.edu/context/gradschool_disstheses/article/7287/viewcontent/9706371.pdf English eng LSU Scholarly Repository https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/6288 doi:10.31390/gradschool_disstheses.6288 https://repository.lsu.edu/context/gradschool_disstheses/article/7287/viewcontent/9706371.pdf LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses Physical oceanography Geology Paleoecology text 1996 ftlouisianastuir https://doi.org/10.31390/gradschool_disstheses.6288 2024-08-08T04:27:14Z The Gulf of Mexico is an ideal location for paleoceanographic study using a three-dimensional ocean circulation model because of the availability of data to verify the model for the present. A description of the Gulf of Mexico circulation during the last glacial maximum is beneficial in interpreting the distribution of glacial fauna and adds to the understanding of global climate change because the Gulf of Mexico is an important link in the circulation of the Atlantic Ocean. The Florida Current originates in the Gulf of Mexico and contributes warm, salty water to the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream influences the climate of the North Atlantic and is a factor in the production of North Atlantic Deep Water, thus contributing to the global thermohaline circulation. The Modular Ocean Model is used with fine horizontal grid resolution to be truly eddy-resolving and with a high number of vertical levels to resolve the bottom topography. A unique method of forcing the inflow through the Yucatan Channel is developed that results in a realistic annual cycle in the volume transport and baroclinic shear of the Loop Current. Seasonally varying wind forcing and surface relaxation toward observed temperature and salinity fields are implemented. The present-day seasonal simulations were able to realistically reproduce many of the observed features of the general circulation as well as the formation, migration, and decay of Loop Current rings. The model deep circulation is dominated by large cyclones that are associated with the upper layer Loop Current rings. The model grid was then configured to represent the lowstand in sea level at 18,000 years before present and the model was forced with glacial estimates of wind stress and surface temperature. The response of the model to different inflow conditions through the Yucatan Channel was tested. Volume transport of the Florida Current during the last glacial maximum that is lower than present is supported by glacial estimates of the volume transport of the North Atlantic gyre and ... Text North Atlantic Deep Water North Atlantic LSU Digital Commons (Louisiana State University) |
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LSU Digital Commons (Louisiana State University) |
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ftlouisianastuir |
language |
English |
topic |
Physical oceanography Geology Paleoecology |
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Physical oceanography Geology Paleoecology Welsh, Susan Elizabeth A Numerical Modeling Study of the Gulf of Mexico Under Present and Past Environmental Conditions. |
topic_facet |
Physical oceanography Geology Paleoecology |
description |
The Gulf of Mexico is an ideal location for paleoceanographic study using a three-dimensional ocean circulation model because of the availability of data to verify the model for the present. A description of the Gulf of Mexico circulation during the last glacial maximum is beneficial in interpreting the distribution of glacial fauna and adds to the understanding of global climate change because the Gulf of Mexico is an important link in the circulation of the Atlantic Ocean. The Florida Current originates in the Gulf of Mexico and contributes warm, salty water to the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream influences the climate of the North Atlantic and is a factor in the production of North Atlantic Deep Water, thus contributing to the global thermohaline circulation. The Modular Ocean Model is used with fine horizontal grid resolution to be truly eddy-resolving and with a high number of vertical levels to resolve the bottom topography. A unique method of forcing the inflow through the Yucatan Channel is developed that results in a realistic annual cycle in the volume transport and baroclinic shear of the Loop Current. Seasonally varying wind forcing and surface relaxation toward observed temperature and salinity fields are implemented. The present-day seasonal simulations were able to realistically reproduce many of the observed features of the general circulation as well as the formation, migration, and decay of Loop Current rings. The model deep circulation is dominated by large cyclones that are associated with the upper layer Loop Current rings. The model grid was then configured to represent the lowstand in sea level at 18,000 years before present and the model was forced with glacial estimates of wind stress and surface temperature. The response of the model to different inflow conditions through the Yucatan Channel was tested. Volume transport of the Florida Current during the last glacial maximum that is lower than present is supported by glacial estimates of the volume transport of the North Atlantic gyre and ... |
format |
Text |
author |
Welsh, Susan Elizabeth |
author_facet |
Welsh, Susan Elizabeth |
author_sort |
Welsh, Susan Elizabeth |
title |
A Numerical Modeling Study of the Gulf of Mexico Under Present and Past Environmental Conditions. |
title_short |
A Numerical Modeling Study of the Gulf of Mexico Under Present and Past Environmental Conditions. |
title_full |
A Numerical Modeling Study of the Gulf of Mexico Under Present and Past Environmental Conditions. |
title_fullStr |
A Numerical Modeling Study of the Gulf of Mexico Under Present and Past Environmental Conditions. |
title_full_unstemmed |
A Numerical Modeling Study of the Gulf of Mexico Under Present and Past Environmental Conditions. |
title_sort |
numerical modeling study of the gulf of mexico under present and past environmental conditions. |
publisher |
LSU Scholarly Repository |
publishDate |
1996 |
url |
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/6288 https://doi.org/10.31390/gradschool_disstheses.6288 https://repository.lsu.edu/context/gradschool_disstheses/article/7287/viewcontent/9706371.pdf |
genre |
North Atlantic Deep Water North Atlantic |
genre_facet |
North Atlantic Deep Water North Atlantic |
op_source |
LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses |
op_relation |
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/6288 doi:10.31390/gradschool_disstheses.6288 https://repository.lsu.edu/context/gradschool_disstheses/article/7287/viewcontent/9706371.pdf |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.31390/gradschool_disstheses.6288 |
_version_ |
1810459112742322176 |