Connectivity of deep waters in the Gulf of Mexico

• Published in: Journal of marine systems 2020-03, Vol.203, p.103267, Article 103267
• Main Authors: Maslo, Aljaz, Azevedo Correia de Souza, Joao Marcos, Andrade-Canto, Fernando, Rodríguez Outerelo, Javier
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Connectivity; Deep waters; Gulf of Mexico; Lagrangian coherent structures; RAFOS; ROMS
• ISSN: 0924-7963; 1879-1573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2019.103267

Lagrangian studies are very useful in predicting deepwater environmental impacts such as oil and gas extraction operations. The purpose of this work was to improve our understanding of the connectivity of the deep Gulf of Mexico (GoM), by complementing the Lagrangian observational dataset provided by subsurface float observations with virtual particles generated by numerical simulation. Our findings emphasize the important role of the deep cyclonic gyre in the connectivity of GoM deep waters. Using Lagrangian coherent structures, we provide compelling evidence that the deep gyre forms an enclosed region in the western GoM restricting the transport between the eastern and western Gulf mainly to the boundary currents around its outer edges. A synthesis of observations and the model results is presented in a schematic Lagrangian mean circulation map that could be used by multidisciplinary scientists to obtain a comprehensive view of the connectivity between different regions of the GoM deep waters. •A reliable connectivity estimation of the deep Gulf of Mexico (GoM) is presented.•The deep cyclonic gyre plays an important role in the connectivity of the deep GoM.•A map of the prevailing Lagrangian circulation for the deep GoM is provided.