Temperature and Salinity Variability in the Mississippi Bight

Abstract

Conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) profile data from five surveys performed by the R/V Pelican in the Mississippi Bight in February, May, and November 1999; and January-February and August-September 2000 have been analyzed. The data were collected within the framework of the Northern Gulf of Mexico Littoral Initiative (NGLI). The analysis of the T-S diagrams demonstrated substantial seasonal changes. Some estimates of the spatial variability at different scales were suggested. The analysis of the T-S data obtained at time-series stations revealed some interesting effects such as along-shelf intrusion of deep water into the coastal system and fine vertical T-S structures in shallow passes between the barrier islands.