HR: 0800h
AN: OS41D-0504    [Abstracts]
TI: Currents Along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Western Caribbean
AU: * Armstrong, B N
EM: brandy.armstrong@msci.sc.edu
AF: University of South Carolina, University of South Carolina 712 Main St EWS 603, Columbia, SC 29208 United States
AB: To characterize currents and the extent to which they are influenced by winds, Interocean S4 electromagnetic current meter data were analyzed from three locations between Lighthouse Reef (17.4441§ N) and Sapodilla Cays (16.1509§ N). A better understanding of these currents is important to local fishing efforts, ecotourists and SCUBA divers through its value to conservation efforts with respect to connectivity and repopulation of the reef. The currents were related to regional COAMPS\_CENTAM modeled wind data to determine the extent to which winds drive the near reef currents. Harmonic analysis of the currents was also conducted to determine the influence of tidal cycles. This study will test the extent to which:(i) currents seaward of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef extending from Lighthouse Reef to Sapodilla Cays are wind driven, (ii) tidally influenced and (iii) coherent.
DE: 4219 Continental shelf processes
DE: 4223 Descriptive and regional oceanography
DE: 4504 Air/sea interactions (0312)
DE: 4512 Currents
DE: 4546 Nearshore processes
SC: Ocean Sciences [OS]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting