A Lagrangian view of fluorescent chromophoric dissolved organic matter distributions in the Mississippi River plume |
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| Authors: | Gary L Hitchcock Robert F Chen G Bernard Gardner William J Wiseman Jr |
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| Institution: | a Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Studies, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy, Miami, FL 33149, USA;b Department of Environmental, Coastal and Ocean Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Boston, 100 Morrisey Drive, Boston, MA 02125, USA;c Coastal Studies Institute, Louisiana State University, 146 Thomas Boyd Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA |
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| Abstract: | In April 2001, three instrumented surface drifters were deployed in the Mississippi River plume near the mouth of Southwest Pass. The plume was characterized by strong surface gradients of salinity, temperature, and chromophoric dissolved organic matter fluorescence (FCDOM). The drifters initially headed west and attained peak speeds of 1 m s−1 within 5 h after release. Thereafter, velocity decreased as the triad headed north in the Louisiana Bight. Linear relationships between FCDOM and salinity identified two subsurface sources of high salinity water (salinity >35) underlying the surface plume. The platforms stalled in a surface front about 40 h after deployment, and then slowly drifted south along the eastern perimeter of the plume. Shoreward of the plume front there were patches of low-salinity, high FCDOM ‘patches’ of surface waters that likely originated in the marshes, bayous, and other smaller distributaries of the delta. |
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| Keywords: | Lagrangian study Chromophoric dissolved organic matter Mississippi River plume |
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