Variability of wind-driven transport in the Florida Big Bend Region

Steve Morey, Austin Todd, Dmitry Dukhovskoy and Mark Bourassa
Center for Ocean – Atmospheric Prediction Studies
The Florida State University

A high-resolution application of ROMS for the Florida Big Bend Region (BBR) of the northern West Florida Shelf is used to examine the variability of wind-driven transport. Comparisons between in situ data, satellite-derived wind fields, and atmospheric model analysis products describe the scales of variability in the region. ROMS simulation results are compared to ADCP data to give an Eulerian description of the flow variability. Lagrangian particle tracking methods are applied to investigate cross-shelf transport mechanisms important to reef fish larvae in the BBR. Interannual modulation of the synoptic scale atmospheric forcing leads to large differences in the important onshore transport pathways.