Award: OCE-1756576

In coastal environments where water is shallow, significant interactions occur between the seabed and the overlying water column. Some parts of the coastal ocean and estuaries experience hypoxia, meaning that oxygen levels in the water are too low to support a healthy ecosystem.  One such area that experiences hypoxia is the Dead Zone located offshore of Louisiana in the northern Gulf of Mexico. In the northern Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone, the seabed is believed to play an important role in the acidification of bottom ocean water. In this project we used a numerical model to understand how the seabed can affect bottom water acidification over the northern Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone. We found that during fair-weather periods, mixing in the sediment bed due to biological activity, organic matter supply from the water column to the sediment, and the porosity of sediment itself can largely affect the role of the seabed in acidifying bottom waters. When the ocean condition is highly dynamic and sediment erosion occurs, the contribution of the seabed to bottom water acidification will likely be enhanced. The numerical model developed for this project will be useful for predicting water quality and ecosystem health for the northern Gulf of Mexico and similar areas. 

In terms of broader impacts: this project supported the development of four early-career scientists and engineers.  One undergraduate student worked on the project for a summer internship and received training in ocean data analysis.  A graduate student received training in ocean processes and data analysis.  Two post-doctoral scientists received training and recognition in the field of ocean modeling, and their careers have benefited from this.

Last Modified: 09/08/2024
Modified by: Courtney K Harris