Marine heatwaves in the Gulf of Mexico 1983‒2021: Statistics, recent intensifications, and threats on coral reefs

Abstract

There is the current lack of comprehensive understanding of the hotspots, frequency, duration, spatiotemporal trends, and physical drivers of marine heatwaves (MHWs) within the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Here, a series of high-resolution satellite and reanalysis products are used to examine their spatiotemporal characteristics, trends, and possible geophysical triggers of MHWs. Possible impacts of the MHW on coral reefs are also discussed. Results reveal an increasing trend in their frequency, duration, and intensities from 1983–2021, particularly after 2016. It identifies MHWs hotspots within the GoM, notably the northern and western shelves and the Loop Current. The study further documents an intense MHW event from late 2020 to early 2021 near the Yucatan Channel, south of 24°N, attributing its development to oceanic processes such as wind anomalies, anticyclonic eddies, and current-driven heat transport anomalies. The occurrence of this MHW event potentially increased thermal stress on the Campeche and Tuxtlas Reef Systems. This research illuminates the increasing trends and impacts of MHWs in the GoM, providing valuable insights for understanding and predicting the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems.