Physical Connectivity Between Mesophotic Areas in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Lopera, Luisa; Bracco, Annalisa; Herrera, Santiago

doi:10.1029/2024JC021753

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i

Physical Connectivity Between Mesophotic Areas in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

2025
By Lopera, Luisa ; Bracco, Annalisa ; Herrera, Santiago
Source: Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 130, e2024JC021753

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Journal Title:

Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans
Personal Author:

Lopera, Luisa ; Bracco, Annalisa ; Herrera, Santiago

Lopera, Luisa ; Bracco, Annalisa ; Herrera, Santiago Less -
NOAA Program & Office:

NOS (National Ocean Service) ; NCCOS (National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science) ; DWH (Deepwater Horizon)

NOS (National Ocean Service) ; NCCOS (National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science) ; DWH (Deepwater Horizon) Less -
Description:

Understanding connectivity patterns is crucial for marine planning, particularly in the design of marine protected areas or restoration plans. In this study, we assess the potential physical connectivity between mesophotic areas in the northern Gulf of Mexico and investigate the dynamical features influencing such connectivity using a physical modeling approach. We use the Coastal and Regional Ocean COmmunity model in conjunction with a particle transport Lagrangian tool to evaluate the general pathways of material transport among mesophotic areas, focusing on the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and the Pinnacles Trend over 2 years. Additionally, we conduct a sensitivity analysis to identify the minimum necessary model configuration for capturing the impact of kilometer-scale circulation on connectivity metrics. Our results reveal year-round low connectivity potential between mesophotic areas with high seasonal heterogeneity in transport direction and dispersal distances due to the high variability of the currents fields. In the study areas, material dispersion appears to be primarily driven by the extension of shelf currents and by submesoscale circulations (SCs). Sensitivity analysis suggests that high-resolution velocity fields with horizontal grid spacing capable of resolving SCs and temporal resolution of 6 hr or less are required to accurately capture the impact of small-scale circulations on connectivity, especially in summer, when currents are weak and submesoscale fronts are essential to establish dispersion patterns.
Keywords:

[+]

Marine Parks And Reserves Restoration Ecology Marine Protected Areas Marine Sanctuaries Material Transport Mesophotic Areas Pinnacles Trend Sensitivity Analysis Shelf Currents Submesoscale Circulations
Source:

Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 130, e2024JC021753
DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JC021753
Format:

PDF
Document Type:

Journal Article
Funding:

Grant no. NA18NOS4780166
Place as Subject:

Mexico, Gulf of ; America, Gulf of ; Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (Tex.)

Mexico, Gulf of ; America, Gulf of ; Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (Tex.) Less -
License:

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Rights Information:

CC BY-NC
Compliance:

Submitted
Main Document Checksum:

[+]

urn:sha-512:bd08ad7e6d422fff69abf9a18c721e134c058a6919cedac7cb05731717ad2915a21e40a4fc5dd584158ed8afdf2725870ab5e61ff7a2283ba90a885d8a8dd4f2
Download URL:

https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/67328/noaa_67328_DS1.pdf
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