Western Caribbean Sea Research Articles

Near‐surface phytoplankton distribution in the western Intra‐Americas Sea: The influence of El Niño and weather events

The space‐time variation of phytoplankton pigments in the western Intra‐Americas Sea (IAS), in the vicinity of the island of Cuba, is examined using digital images obtained with the Coastal Zone Color Scanner sensor flown aboard the Nimbus 7 satellite from 1978 to 1986. The results are compared to historical in situ hydrographic observations. A marked seasonality in pigment concentration was observed in waters around Cuba, with an average of 0.07 mg m−3 in summer (April‐September) and 0.13 mg m−3 during winter (October–March). The range of variation in pigment concentration was larger in the Gulf of Mexico relative to the western Caribbean Sea. We identified four biogeographical areas on the basis of groups of pixels with similar patterns of time variability. These are area I: southwest of Cuba, Yucatan Channel, and Florida Strait; area II: central Gulf of Mexico; area III: east of Cuba; and area IV: central Caribbean Sea, south of Jamaica and Hispaniola. Two major meteorological events led to anomalies in the seasonal cycle of pigment concentrations. During El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) of 1982–1983, positive anomalies were observed in the pigment concentration in the western IAS during winter months. This was associated with intense mixing of the water column by higher‐frequency and stronger winds associated with cold fronts. ENSO 1982–1983 therefore had a fertilizing effect on the IAS region. Another positive anomaly was observed in 1980–1981, a non‐ENSO period that featured higher hurricane and extratropical low‐pressure activity.

Tectonic controls on carbonate sequence formation in an active strike–slip setting: Serranilla Basin, Northern Nicaragua Rise, Western Caribbean Sea

The Serranilla Basin is a flat-floored, semi-circular bathymetric depression (100×100 km; 1100–1200 m deep) at the western end of the northern Nicaragua Rise (NNR) in the Caribbean Sea. It is bound to the north by the Cayman Trough, an area of active sea floor spreading, and is part of the Northern Caribbean Plate Boundary Zone (NCPBZ). Single-channel, high-resolution seismic data were calibrated to rock dredges and ODP Site 1000 to define the geologic evolution and attempt to tie sequence formation within the basin to tectonic developments in this part of the Caribbean. Five seismic sequences were identified within the basin. The two lower sequences (A and B) are interpreted as neritic and shallow periplatform deposits which infill three distinct basins that make up the early to late Miocene Serranilla Basin. The three upper sequences (C through E) are interpreted as periplatform and pelagic deposits interspersed with turbidites, and in some areas, megabreccias. Faulting is prevalent in sequences A through C in the central basin, and becomes progressively younger toward the south, disrupting the seafloor in places and perhaps indicating renewed activity along the Pedro Fracture Zone. The timing of sequence boundary formation has been correlated to tectonic activity along the NCPBZ and closure of the Central American Seaway. Possible mechanisms of sequence boundary formation include tectonic tilting within the basin in conjunction with increased turbidite deposition, carbonate platform drowning and subsequent back-stepping associated with circulation changes resulting from tectonic `gateway' closure, and megabreccia deposition associated with bank demise. Although a direct genetic relationship is not proven, regional tectonic changes are considered more important than eustatic sea-level changes in controlling depositional sequence formation in the Serranilla Basin.

A Survey of the Reef-Related Medusa (Cnidaria) Community in the Western Caribbean Sea

The species composition, distribution, and abundance of medusae collected during a 4-day plankton survey in a reef system of the Mexican Caribbean were studied. Highest mean medusae abundance was observed over the fore-reef zone and in daytime samples. Lowest abundances occurred in the reef lagoon and at dusk. Seventeen species were identified, with Liriope tetraphylla, Aglaura hemistoma, Cubaia aphrodite, and Sarsia prolifera being the most abundant. They belong to a group of medusae dominant along the world's second largest barrier reef. Cluster analysis revealed primary (fore-reef) and secondary (reef lagoon, channel) oceanic groups, showing the strong oceanic influence along and across the reef system. Day-to-day variation in the reef medusan community seemed relatively unimportant. The community structure of the reef medusa fauna appeared to be quite uniform despite the expected migratory behavior of these predators, tidal exchange across the reef, introduction of oceanic species, and time of day. The species composition was most closely related to that of the Campeche Bank and oceanic Caribbean waters. Dominance of oceanic medusae within the reef lagoon was attributed to the narrowness of the continental shelf and the mesoscale hydrological features of the zone.

Floating tar in the western North Atlantic and Caribbean Sea, 1982–1996

Floating tar in the western North Atlantic and Caribbean Sea, 1982–1996

Variabilidad anual del contenido de carbón orgánico en la superficie del Mar Caribe Occidental observada desde el CZCS

Photographic mosaics of monthly averaged values of CZCS (Coastal Zone Color Scanner), over the Western Caribbean Sea in 1979, were used to analized the variability of the clorophyl and organic carbon content at the sea surface. The basin showed low values (< .15mg/m3) for the most part. Coastal zones had seasonal variability related to the increment and lack of river waters. The Maddalena river plume showed great influence in the basin. High values (> 1. mg/m3) to the west of the Guajira Peninsula related to the shelf break upwelling are apparent all year long. Low values in the San Andrés Archipiélago were detected permanently. The lack of high primary production in the area makes out of this a very fragil ecosystem that needs a special management.

Neogene development of the Swan Islands restraining-bend complex, Caribbean Sea

Research Article| August 01, 1991 Neogene development of the Swan Islands restraining-bend complex, Caribbean Sea Paul Mann; Paul Mann 1Institute for Geophysics, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78759 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Stacey A. Tyburski; Stacey A. Tyburski 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78713 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Eric Rosencrantz Eric Rosencrantz 1Institute for Geophysics, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78759 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Paul Mann 1Institute for Geophysics, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78759 Stacey A. Tyburski 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78713 Eric Rosencrantz 1Institute for Geophysics, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78759 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1991) 19 (8): 823–826. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019<0823:NDOTSI>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Paul Mann, Stacey A. Tyburski, Eric Rosencrantz; Neogene development of the Swan Islands restraining-bend complex, Caribbean Sea. Geology 1991;; 19 (8): 823–826. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019<0823:NDOTSI>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract We present SeaMARC II and multichannel seismic data describing deformation at an active restraining-bend complex formed along a left-lateral strike-slip fault in the western Caribbean Sea. The bend complex consists of three distinct strike- slip fault traces that form two right-stepping "sharp restraining bends" or "push-ups" at its western end and form a right-stepping "gentle restraining bend" at its eastern end. Deformation at the sharp restraining bends is characterized by local folding between overlapping strike-slip faults. Deformation at the much larger gentle restraining bend consists of a large anticline adjacent to a gently curving strike-slip fault. A small, active accretionary wedge forms the northern flank of the bend complex. We speculate that the 30-km-wide, right-stepping bend complex formed as a consequence of southward propagation of the Mid-Cayman spreading center during Oligocene to early Miocene time. Active faults along the southern edge of the bend complex may have formed after the initial uplift and folding of the complex, and may currently serve to straighten the strike-slip fault by "bypassing" the bend complex. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.

Application of image analysis for delineating modern carbonate facies changes through time: Grand Cayman, western Caribbean Sea

Image analysis of air photographs showing shallow water carbonate lagoons permits easy delineation of facies and the area covered by each facies. Application of this technique to lagoons around Grand Cayman shows that the method (1) produces maps with a high degree of accuracy (⩾90%), (2) allows comparison of lagoons in terms of the areas covered by the different facies, and (3) permits the quantitative assessment of changes in the lagoons for the period 1971–1985. The lagoons around Grand Cayman can be divided into two groups by considering the area covered by the barren sand facies as opposed to the area covered by Thalassia. The first group of lagoons, characterized by a low percentage area of Thalassia and a high percentage area of sand, are narrow (<0.5 km), shallow (2–3 m deep), and periodically subjected to high-energy conditions due to strong onshore winds. The second group of lagoons, characterized by a high percentage area of Thalassia and a low percentage area of sand, have some degree of protection because they are wide (up to 2 km), deep (up to 7 m), or situated in the lee of a headland. Collectively, the protection permits the deposition of sediment which in turn allows the establishment of Thalassia. Image analysis of air photographs for 1971, 1979 and 1985 shows that there has been a substantial increase in the area of Thalassia in each of the lagoons examined around Grand Cayman. For example, in South Sound the area of Thalassia has increased by 6.9 ha over the 15 yr period from 1971 to 1985. Although this increase has been primarily at the expense of the sand facies, the Thalassia also replaced other facies. The expansion of the Thalassia facies has important implication on the dynamics of the lagoon in terms of sediment production, binding, and baffling. Collectively, these processes led to the progressive shallowing of many areas of the lagoons through the period 1971–1985.

Hybridization of Penaeus setiferus (Linnaeus, 1767) and Penaeus schmitti Burkenroad, 1936 (Decapoda)

ABSTRACT Hybrid crosses of females of Penaeus setiferus x males of Penaeus schmitti were obtained through artificial insemination. Mature females of P. setiferus (mean weight, 53 g ± 8.2 SD), collected from a wild population in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, were inseminated with sperm of males of P. schmitti (mean weight, 27 g ± 5.3 SD) obtained from the western Caribbean Sea. Nauplii resulted from 7 of 19 artificial inseminations and were cultured to the subadult stage. Fertilization in all inseminations was less than 1% (4-4,300 nauplii per spawn), and subsequent survival of nauplii to postlarvae averaged 47%. Hybridization was confirmed by isozyme comparisons of parents and offspring using starch gel electrophoresis. Hybrids also exhibited uropod coloration typical of P. schmitti, the paternal phenotype, when sampled as subadults. Diagnostic differences between the parent species were found only by using a soluble protein stain and were not found in 11 specific enzymes tested. Sperm and ova were observed in mature hybrid offspring. These results are indicative of the phylogenetic relatedness and genomic compatibility of these species.

Belizia brevicauda, a new genus and species of caligid copepod from the western Caribbean Sea

A new genus and species of parasitic copepod collected from the fishes Calamus pennatula and Clepticus parrae from off Belize, Central America is described. The new genus is characterized by a very reduced sternal furca, a pair of sclerotized knobs between the interpodal plates of the first and second legs, and endopod of third leg with 4 setae.

Marine oil degrading bacteria related to oil inputs and surface currents in the Western caribbean sea

The distribution of oil degrading bacteria (ODB) and its ratios to viable heterotrophic bacteria (CFU) and direct counts (AODC) were examined in relation to the surface currents of the western Caribbean Sea. High ODB/CFU and ODB/AODC ratios were found, suggesting that chronic sources of hydrocarbons in the region may have a larger impact than those in the southern Gulf of Mexico, where previous studies have been performed. It was concluded that, in western Caribbean waters, the distribution of oil degrading bacteria, or its ratios to CFU or AODC, could be useful indicators of chronic oil inputs originating at the east of the Caribbean Sea, as well as their motions afterwards.

Variation in Western Atlantic Gobiid Fishes of the Genus Evermannichthys

Examination of collections of Evermannichthys metzelaari from Isla de Providencia, in the western Caribbean Sea, showed one individual (out of a total of 59) that was unique in having no obvious pigmentation pattern, as well as a higher dorsal-spine count (7) and lower total vertebral count (33) than previously recorded for this species. Analysis of the remaining Providencia specimens showed three others to have the same vertebral count and two specimens examined from Belize were found to have a pigmentation pattern even more obscure than the unique Providencia individual. These factors, together with the wide variation in dorsal-spine count (3-6) previously demonstrated for E. metzelaari, indicate that the specimen in question is merely an unusually variable individual of this species and not an undescribed form as first suspected. The largest Providencia specimen measured only 17.4 mm standard length, which is less than many specimens of E. metzelaari previously examined (mostly from the Bahamas) and is substantially less than for the largest recorded individual (27.6 mm SL). A smaller maximum body size is indicated for the Providencia population. The zoogeography and evolution of the genus Evermannichthys are discussed, specifically with regard to the two most common and widespread species, E. metzelaari and E. spongicola. The apparent absence of this genus from the eastern Pacific region is also discussed, as well as the lack of documented occurrence of any fish species from massive sponges elsewhere around the world.

Radium variability produced by shelf-water transport and mixing in the western Gulf of Mexico

— 226Ra and 228Ra exhibit significant temporal and spatial variability in the near-surface western Gulf of Mexico. Concentrations of both isotopes during March 1976 were on the order of 22 to 26% greater than those observed during February 1973. It is shown that analytical differences cannot account for this increase. Consideration of radium levels in the western Caribbean Sea indicates that there must be an internal source of radium that has a significant but temporally variable influence on near-surface radium concentrations in the western Gulf. Comparisons of radium, salinity, and temperature data from 1973 and 1976 provide evidence that advective transport and mixing of radium-rich shelf water with the interior water column of the western basin is responsible for the variability. By plotting 228Ra vs 226Ra from this region, estimates of the apparent shelf-water component in the upper water column can be made. The results indicate 36% over the northern slope, 10 to 18% in the central western Gulf, and 3 to 7% over Campeche Bank. In addition to explaining the observed short-term variations of radium in this region, this information should be useful for environmental impact assessments concerned with industrial discharges on the northern shelf.

Western Atlantic Occurrence of the Genus Minyichthys (Pisces: Syngnathidae), with Description of M. inusitatus n. sp.

A new species of the syngnathine (tail-pouch) pipefish genus Minyichthys, characterized by a short and deep snout, 52-56 rings and 21 dorsal-fin rays, is described from an immature specimen from the western Caribbean Sea and a second, presumably conspecific, specimen is reported from off northern Argentina. Minyichthys, now known from two Atlantic and two Indo-Pacific species, is distinguished from other western Atlantic genera of pipefishes by the presence of 8 caudal-fin rays and a non-prehensile tail. Notes are provided on lengthrange and depth of capture of known specimens of Minyichthys.

Entry of migrating American eel leptocephali into the Gulf Stream system

Abundance, size and depth distributions of American eel(Anguilla rostrata) leptocephali collected in four transects across the Florida Current between the Straits of Florida and Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, were examined in order to assess the relative importance of two migration routes into the Gulf Stream system. A nine-fold increase in the abundance and an increase in the mean length of leptocephali collected in the Florida Current north of the Straits of Florida indicate that most leptocephali enter the Gulf Stream system directly from the Sargasso Sea rather than by a more southern route through the Bahama Islands. Leptocephali were concentrated in the upper 140 m at night and upper 350 m during the day. Wide vertical ranges in daytime collections precluded more refined estimation of vertical distribution. The collection of eight small leptocephali (11 to 17 mm total length) in the western Caribbean Sea is discussed in relation to the origin of leptocephali taken in the Straits of Florida.

Current variability and its relation to sea‐surface topography in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico

The circulation in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico exhibits considerable variability, which manifests itself in the form of changes in the intensity and location of the major currents. These changes in current intensity and location are coupled with changes in the distribution of the sea‐surface topography. Little is known of the temporal and spatial distribution of currents in the eastern Caribbean Sea. Recent direct measurements suggest a complicated current structure with large meanders and eddies; such a structure implies a complicated sea‐surface topography. An anticyclonic gyre, characterized by a rise in the sea‐surface topography, is frequently found in the western Caribbean Sea. The gyre is bounded on the south and west by intense currents. Sea‐surface slopes of 0.4m/200km have been observed across the southern limb of the gyre, the Cayman Current, and 0.5m/100km across the western limb, the Yucatan Current. There appears to be a seasonal cycle in the intensity of this gyre, which implies se...

The Formation of the Yucatan Current Based on Observations of Summer 1971

Abstract Temperature, salinity and Lagrangian current data collected during the summer of 1971 in the western Caribbean Sea are employed to evaluate the ageostrophic components of the flow in the formation region of the Yucatan Current. The ratio of tangential and centripetal accelerations to Coriolis acceleration for data averaged over 24 h periods remain less than 10% except in two areas. An anticyclonic turn, centered at 19°30′N, 86°W, has the largest centripetal accelerations, and in the region of Cozumel Island significant tangential accelerations occur. The large-scale accelerations and additional evidence support the hypothesis that inertial effects dominate in the formation of the Yucatan Current.

Calculations of Differential Kinematic Properties from Lagrangian Observations in the Western Caribbean Sea

Observations of the motions of drifter clusters were made in the western Caribbean Sea during the summer of 1971. By two independent analyses of the relative motions of a cluster, two time series of horizontal divergence, vorticity, shear deformation rate, and normal deformation rate are developed. The results of the two approaches are very similar. The time series for these differential kinematic properties are fairly smooth when the drifters were moving in the Yucatan Current. Otherwise, the time series are ragged with frequent changes in sign. It is speculated that the raggedness is due to small values of the shear rates relative to random observational errors or small-scale turbulent processes. The records of the differential kinematic properties are used to evaluate the stretching and material derivative terms of the vorticity equation. Calculations indicate that potential vorticity is conserved along trajectories in the Yucatan Current.

Calanoid copepods of the family Euchaetidae from the Gulf of Mexico and western Caribbean Sea

Calanoid copepods of the family Euchaetidae from the Gulf of Mexico and western Caribbean Sea

Hyalinea baltica and the Plio-Pleistocene Boundary in the Caribbean Sea

The foraminifer Hyalinea baltica is found for the first time in sediments from the western Caribbean Sea. Its relationship to the Plio-Pleistocene boundary and to other criteria used to define this boundary is examined, with the result that a strict adherence to the classical definition is urged.

USE OF SATELLITE CLOUD PICTURES TO ESTIMATE AVERAGE RELATIVE HUMIDITY BELOW 500 MB., WITH APPLICATION TO THE GULF OF MEXICO AREA

Abstract This paper describes a scheme for classifying the cloudiness, as determined from satellite TV pictures, of small areas in the vicinity of radiosonde stations. The classification number, c, was correlated with the observed average relative humidity below 500 mb., H, at radiosonde stations within a few hundred miles of the Gulf of Mexico and the western Caribbean Sea. For over 100 dates distributed throughout the year the relationship was found to be H = 24.6 + 7.30 c, with a correlation coefficient of 0.78. There is a slight suggestion of seasonal and latitudinal trends. Examples show suggested average relative humidity distributions based on observations made from meteorological satellites over the waters adjacent to the southeastern United States.