Effects of Mesoscale Eddies on Three-Dimensional Oil Dispersion: Data Integration, Interpretation and Implications for Oil Spill Models
Implementing Organization
University of South Florida
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$547,914
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI)
Funding Program
Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative GoMRI Grant Program
Details
Project Category
Science
Project Actions
Environmental Research
Targeted Resources
Pelagic Zone
Project Description
The major objective of this proposal is to analyze, understand and quantify the roles of mesoscale eddies in the three-dimensional dispersal of subsurface materials. This will be achieved through three specific goals: 1) Characterize and quantify the subsurface impacts of mesoscale eddies in the GoM by synthesizing and analyzing multiple streams of data sets (e.g., satellite altimetry, historical in-situ deep-ocean current measurements); 2) Evaluate the existing state-of-the-art GoM circulation/oil tracking models (a synthesis of existing products within previous and ongoing research effort during RFP I to V) by focusing on the relationships between surface mesoscale features and subsurface currents and vertical mixing (if available); 3) Produce a semi-empirical formula to present the subsurface impacts of mesoscale eddies; conduct sensitivity experiments showing the impacts of this new formula in modifying the trajectory predictions with the existing GoM models.
Contact
Xinfeng LiangNone
liang@usf.edu
Project Website
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