Open Coastal Ocean Connectivity through Bottom Boundary Layer Observations and LES Simulation

Summary

Conduct an  investigation by observational and computational program of the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico in the vicinity of 27.75N and 96.5W, The purpose of this study will be to quantify the bottom current variability across the shelf-break with specific focus on temporal and spatial scales and their relation to cross topographic exchange. The field program will consist of very low cost "Seahorse Tilt Current Meters"which will be deployed between 50-150 meters depth. The computational effort will consist of LES simulations of shelf-break topographies to assessthe influence of surface and bottom boundry layers on the circulation. This novel application of Seahorse curnt meters and LES simulations to an often overlooked dynamical region, will significantly inform fate and transport modeling efforts in the Texas Coastal zone.