Projects

191001-363513-3G
18-NGI3-43
N/A
3/1/2018
2019-7-31 0:0:0
Completed
$56,185.00
High-Resolution Modeling of the Ocean Acidification in the East and Gulf Coasts of the U.S.
Hernandez
Frank
USM
Climate Effects CE
OAR
High-resolution modeling of Ocean Acidification for the Gulf of Mexico and North Atlantic using a 13-component biogeochemical model was modified to include an additional carbon module that simulated dissolved inorganic carbon and total alkalinity. Using the expanded model with the carbon module, researchers described surface inorganic carbon system variables and sea–air CO2 fluxes in coastal and ocean domains of the Gulf of Mexico. Model results indicated that seasonal changes in surface pCO2 are strongly controlled by temperature across most of the Gulf of Mexico, except in the vicinity of the Mississippi–Atchafalaya River system delta, where runoff largely controls changes in dissolved inorganic carbon and total alkalinity. Further, the model results also showed that seasonal patterns of surface aragonite saturation state are driven by seasonal changes in dissolved inorganic carbon and total alkalinity, and reinforced by the seasonal changes in temperature. This model provides a tool to address questions related to ocean acidification and other processes that may impact the Gulf of Mexico and its natural resources.