Connectivity of deep waters in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

Abstract 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.