The Thalassic Society & Department of Oceanography present the

2nd Oceanography Student Symposium

Program

16 November 2007

Welcome colleagues, This year marks the second occasion that we will gather together to learn about the research undertaken by the student members of this department. It is our sincere hope that the recurrence of this event will set a precedent for the future, that two years will turn into three, three years will turn into ten and ten will turn into a tradition. Last year we organized the First Annual Oceanography Student Symposium to gain presentation experience, because we recognized that the communication of our ideas and findings is as fundamental an element of our future careers as the creation of our hypotheses, the development of our protocols to test them and the completion of our research in the form of a published paper. With that goal we have achieved something larger, something that affects everyone in our department- an event where our department comes together through the communication of our research- and it is that legacy that we would like to leave behind us. Our small department houses a huge diversity of projects, and we are proud to offer the chance for that diversity to be shared on this day. We hope that everyone leaves today’s symposium with a new appreciation for all of the work that is carried on in this department, or at least now knows what everyone is here to do. A huge amount of work and support was needed to make this event possible. First and foremost, we would like to acknowledge Drs. William Dewar and Eric Chassignet for their generous advice and financial support they provided despite their busy schedules. Michelle Slaton and Susan Stetson have helped us in obtaining supplies. We also are very gratefully for the financial support of the Congress of Graduate Studies, the FSU Foundation, the Thalassic Society, the Center for Ocean and Atmospheric Prediction Studies and the Department of Oceanography. Acknowledgements are also deserved by all of the student volunteers who helped to set up for this event, including Kati Gosnell, Liz Corbett, Bryan Rahter, Athena Rycyk, Denise Akob and others. We would also like to thank all of the student presenters for all of the time they spent preparing their presentations, especially Bryan, Ekaterina Maksimova and Tommy Van Horn who have been students for less than one year, and all of the faculty members for their guidance in making those preparations. Finally, the current Thalassic Society officers, Flavien Gouillon, Natasha Dimova and Rachel Wilson, deserve special thanks as they were indispensable in making this event possible. We are extremely proud to hold this event again this year, both for our own sake and for that of the department. We genuinely hope that everyone in the department will recognize the importance of both our goals and, in response, enhance the level of interest and support between labs and disciplines. Sincerely, Anna E. McGregor Thalassic Society President

Oral Session 8.30am to 2pm at the Dirac Seminar Room (DL 499)

Time schedule 8:30 – 9:00 COFFEE 9:00 – 9:15 Akob, D., Determination of metabolically active microbial groups in

radionuclide contamination subsurface sediments at the Oak Ridge Field Research, Oak Ridge, TN.

9:15 – 9:30 Buck, C., Aerosol Iron solubilities and estimated fluxes to the North Atlantic and

Pacific oceans 9:30 – 9:45 Faure, V., A statistical inverse model in the Southeastern Pacific ocean 9:45 – 10:00 Suryputra, I., The behavior of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the pristine

subterranean estuary 10:00 – 10:15 Yin, J., Ocean Climate Simulation with CCSM3/HYCOM 10:15 – 10:30 McGregor, A., The influence of body condition on buoyancy in North Atlantic

right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) 10:30 – 10:45 Corbett, L., Radon and CH4 tracing of groundwater flow and surface water

interactions at Wakulla Springs 10:50 – 11:05 Nelson, J., Flux by fin: The true story of little fish on an epic journey to become

a snack fish mediated carbon and nutrient flux between northeastern Gulf of Mexico seagrass beds and offshore reef fish communities.

11:05 – 11:20 Rycyk, A., Acoustic environments of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in

the Big Bend region of Florida 11:20 – 11:35 Santos, I., Tracing anthropogenically-driven groundwater discharge into a

coastal lagoon from southern Brazil 11:35 – 12:20 LUNCH BREAK 12:20 – 12:35 Bourassa, M., Measuring surface turbulent Stress from space 12:35 – 12:50 Scheef, L., The retention of Copepod resting eggs in patches of sea grass in

comparison to bare sediment in a high energy area 12:50 – 13:05 Morey, S., Connectivity between variability of the Apalachicola river flow and

the biophysical oceanic properties of the Northern West Florida shelf 13:05 – 13:20 Kowalczk, A., Speleoclimatology of a wild Florida cave: the present is key to the

past

13:20 – 13:35 Dimova, N., What happens to the largest Florida spring during a prolonged drought? An investigation of Spring Creek Springs using radon isotopes

13:35 – 13:45 Maksimova, E., Stokes' Drift off the North Florida coast 13:45 – 14:00 Misra, S., High precision low-blank Lithium isotope ratios in Forams

Poster Session

3pm to 5pm at OSB 327 List of the Posters

Boisserie, Marie; S. Cocke; D. W. Shin; J. J. OBrien

Impact of TRMM precipitation assimilation on soil moisture in the coupled land-atmosphere FSU/COAPS model

Bozec, Alexandra; E. Chassignet; G. Halliwell; Z. Garraffo, S. Lozier; N. M. Stewart The Influence of the NAO on the Mediterranean Outflow Water Path in the North Atlantic

Chien, Chin-Yin Combination satellite and in-situ data to estimate mixed layer depth by 1-D second moment closure mixed layer model

Chipman, Lindsay; M. Huettel Degradation of Dissolved Organic Carbon in Permeable Sediments

Dong, Jun Ocean Transition Layer Statistics

Dukhovskoy, Dmitry; S. L. Morey; J. J. O’Brien Generation of baroclinic topographic waves by a tropical cyclone impacting a low-latitude continental shelf

Easton, Erin; T. Spears; D. Thistle Use of mitochondrial cytochrome b as a tool for re-evaluation of the northern Gulf of Mexico species of the Zausodes complex

Gihring, Thomas; J. E. Kostka; G. Lavik; M. Kuypers Nitrogen Removal Rates and Temperature Regulation of Microbial Communities Mediating Denitrification and Anammox in Arctic Marine Sediments

Gosnell, Kathleen; W. M. Landing; J. Caffrey Anthropogenic influences of Mercury Concentrations in “Snag Lake” Sediment

Gouillon, Flavien; S. Morey; D. S. Dukhovskoy; J. J. O’Brien Forced tidal response in the Gulf of Mexico

Hughes, Paul; M. A. Bourassa; S. R. Smith Comparison of Surface Turbulent Flux Products

Moroni, David; M. A. Bourassa A Global and Regional Comparison of Air-Sea Flux Parameterizations

Mwashote, Benjamin; W. C. Burnett Submarine groundwater (SGD) seepmeter measurements: eradication of artifacts and the Bernoulli influence

Rahter, Bryan; L. St. Laurent Turbulence in the Well-mixed to Thermocline Transition Layer

Rolph, Jeremy; S. R. Smith The Shipboard Automated Meteorological and Oceanographic System (SAMOS) initiative

Tyson, Reny; D. P. Nowacek; P. J.O Miller Nonlinear phenomena in the vocalizations of North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) and killer whales (Orcinus orca)

Van Horn, Tommy; J. Hooper Influence of flow/turbulence and light/turbidity on benthic and pelagic primary production in the NE Gulf of Mexico

Presentation Abstracts

Akob, Denise; J. Kostka Determination of metabolically active microbial groups in radionuclide contamination subsurface sediments at the Oak Ridge Field Research, Oak Ridge, TN In contaminated subsurface sediments of the Oak Ridge Field Research Center (ORFRC), metal- and nitrate-reducing bacteria often mediate electron flow, thereby controlling the fate and transport of radionuclides. However, there is no consensus on the composition and distribution of the active microbial communities in the ORFRC subsurface that are likely to effect bioremediation potential. Ethanol has been shown in laboratory and field based bioremediation studies to promote the biological reduction and immobilization of U(VI) at the ORFRC. Therefore, the goal of this study was to employ stable isotope probing (SIP) techniques to directly link the phylogenetic structure and function of subsurface microbial communities that utilize ethanol. In order to characterize the metabolically active microbial community, we amended sediment microcosms with 13C-labeled ethanol and monitored electron acceptor and carbon utilization. At selected time points corresponding to phases of terminal electron accepting processes, 13C incorporation into community DNA was examined by density gradient centrifugation along with PCR amplification and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (TRFLP). Incorporation of the 13C-labeled substrate into microbial biomass was detected by day 3 which corresponded to the onset of nitrate reduction. With the depletion of NO3

-, metal reduction commenced with U(VI)-reduction preceding Fe(III)-reduction. The predominant and active denitrifying microbial groups were identified as members of the Betaproteobacteria, as they assimilated 13C-ethanol during the nitrate reduction phase of our incubations. Members of the Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla were also shown to be active during various phases of the incubations. Statistical analysis of TRFLP profiles revealed differences between the microbial communities present during nitrate and metal reduction. These results indicate that SIP can be used successfully to couple the composition and function of microbial communities in ORFRC subsurface sediments. Our data also suggests that members of the Betaproteobacteria and Actinobacteria may play an important role in nitrate removal and subsequent metal reduction, although further work is needed to elucidate the biogeochemical processes mediated by the microbial groups that incorporated 13C-labeled ethanol.

Bourassa, Mark Measuring surface turbulent stress from space I discuss in general how scatterometers (e.g., NSCAT, QuikSCAT, ASCAT) can be calibrated to measure surface turbulent stress (Bourassa 2006), which is ideal for forcing ocean models. Traditional scatterometer model functions (Naderi et al. 1991; Stoffelen 1998; Wentz and Smith 1999) relate the observed radar backscatter to vector winds. Recent approaches to determining stress have focused on determining a wind vector, and applying a neutral drag coefficient and a density to estimate a stress. I will discuss how stress can be determined more directly from the scatterometer observations, in a manner that is likely to reduce random and systematic errors.

Buck, Clifton Aerosol Iron solubilities and estimated fluxes to the North Atlantic and Pacific oceans Iron has long been recognized as an important biolimiting nutrient in the open ocean. Due to its highly insoluble nature in oxic systems, iron is not readily available for utilization by organisms. In regions far from coastal margins, the transport of Aeolian mineral dust is the primary mechanism by which iron, and other elements, is brought to the marine system. Two questions that arise are: (1) What percentage of aerosol iron is soluble? (2) What is controlling that solubility? In this research, daily samples of aerosol dust were collected as part of the trace metal component of the CLIVAR/CO2 Repeat Hydrography Program. Dust was collected on polycarbonate track-etched (PCTE) and polypropylene filters in both bulk and size fractionated samples using a Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposition Impactor (MOUDI). The filters were quickly leached with 100 mL of either freshly collected 0.2 µm filtered surface seawater at natural pH or 100 mL of unacidified ultrapure water (pH 5.6) providing

measurements of the amount of Fe that is instantly soluble upon aerosol dry deposition to the surface ocean and scavenging by rain drops. Data presented will include iron percentage solubilities from the North Atlantic Ocean collected during Summer, 2003 as well as data covering both East-West and North-South transects of the Pacific Ocean during 2004-2006.

Corbett, Liz; W. C. Burnett; J. Chanton; P. Chanton Radon and CH4 tracing of groundwater flow and surface water interactions at Wakulla Springs Wakulla Springs is a spring fed by a natural underground cave system and surface water. In order to accurately assess the variability in source inputs, we performed continuous monitoring of 222Rn activity and methane concentration at one of the main spring conduits (B-tunnel) and at the main vent of Wakulla Springs. This monitoring spanned a dry period and a rainier one. It has been suggested that the water flowing through B-tunnel represents true (older) groundwater while the main vent represents more of a mixture including a recent surface water component. We hypothesized that a longer residence time in the subsurface would result in higher groundwater tracers, relative to waters that had only been in the subsurface a shorter time. Hypothesis 1: B-tunnel will have higher Rn activity and methane concentration than the main vent waters and that these measurements will yield the Rn activity and methane concentration of the pure groundwater end member. The Rn activity and methane concentration of the main vent would have a significantly lower Rn activity due to dilution by recent surface waters. Hypothesis 2: Variations in rainfall will be reflected in variations in the groundwater tracer content of the main vent which would exhibit decreased tracer contents during rainfall events. B-tunnel will not change. We monitored the spring system from the end of April until September 2007. The overall average 222Rn for B-tunnel and the main vent were 322±3 dpm/L and 274±3 dpm/L respectively, consistent with hypothesis 1. However, there was no trend at either site with precipitation. Methane concentrations were not significantly different between the two sites and did not vary with precipitation either. We found little evidence for variations in the ratio of recent surface water to groundwater at either site. This may be because the monitoring period was during a prolonged drought.

Dimova, Natasha; B. Burnett; J. Chanton What happens to the largest Florida spring during a prolonged drought? An investigation of Spring Creek Springs using radon isotopes Florida has one of the largest network of springs not only in US but may be in the world. Among the 700 documented springs in state, 33 of them are considered to be first magnitude with discharge of about 2.9x105 m3/day (FL-DEP, 2006). With an average annual discharge of 4.9x106m3/day, Spring Creek at Wakulla County is the leader. This summer the largest spring in Florida has reduced significantly its flow due to the extreme drought conditions. In the period between July and October 2007 our team conducted few field trips to the springs and deployed a continuous radon-222 in water measurement system to investigate its recent conditions. The overall average spring flow during our July 07 measurement interval was estimated to be 5.7x104 m3/day. We have found that the water quality has altered dramatically. While the radon in water concentration still remains relatively high, the salinity has changed one order of magnitude (from 4ppt in 2004 to 33ppt this summer). This is an indication for a massive seawater intrusion in the aquifer and an extremely reduced freshwater component in the composition of the discharged water. Further work plans to examine the change in flow as the spring (presumably) transitions back to “normal” (low salinity – high radon) conditions. Measurements at different times of the year will provide useful seasonal information. Radium isotopes will be included to try to estimate the sources and the dynamics of the springs.

Faure, Vincent; K. Speer A statistical inverse model in the Southeastern Pacific ocean It has been suggested in older and recent literature (e.g. Shaffer et al., 2004) that a broad deep eastern boundary flow is linking the equatorial Pacific Ocean to the Southern Ocean. The depth range of this flow corresponds to the Pacific Deep Water (2500m) where it is suggested by the distribution of primordial 3He

originating from the East Pacific Rise. In this study, we propose to use a large set of data along with inverse techniques to estimate the stationary advection and diffusion of water properties and tracer concentrations (potential vorticity, potential temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and silica concentration) in the area of interest. The various data are combined into an new inverse model first developed by McKeague et al. (2005), Herbei et al. (2006). The model uses a forward advection-diffusion model and Markov Chain Monte-Carlo techniques to give estimates of velocities along and across surfaces of neutral density as well as isopycnal diffusivities. It is composed of 9 layers between the 27.4 and 28 neutral densities. The circulation in the upper layers of the model compares well with direct independent estimates of velocities from subsurface float trajectories (WOCE and Argo). We investigate the water exchange in the deeper layers in regards to the 3He distribution along the Eastern boundary and its mixing with the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.

Kowalczk, Andrew; P. Froelich; A. Mosler Speleoclimatology of a wild Florida cave: the present is key to the past Speleoclimatology is an emerging field of cave paleoclimate research. Understanding carbon dioxide degassing and calcite precipitation and how chemical and isotopic information transfers from the atmosphere to drip water to cave calcite is critical to interpretations of paleorecords in dripstones. We have instrumented multiple micro-meteorological time-series stations in a wild cave in Northwest Florida (Hollow Ridge) near Marianna and the Chipola River. Each station continuously records temperature, barometric pressure, relative humidity, 2D acoustic airflow, drip rates, air radon and carbon dioxide. Hollow Ridge Cave is a Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. (SSCi) preserve with 4 entrances and 3370 feet of mapped passage located at the contact of the early Oligocene Marianna Limestone and Bumpnose member of the Crystal River formation. In May 2007 carbon dioxide concentrations ranged from 556 ppm 50 feet inside the main entrance (site 1) to 827 ppm 500 feet into the cave (site 2), with δ13C values of -13.2 ‰ to -15.6 ‰, respectively. In August 2007 carbon dioxide ranged from 734 ppm (site 1) to over 13,500 ppm (1.35%) (site 2), with δ13C values of -14.9 ‰ to -21.5 ‰. Higher rainfall in July resulted in elevated CO2 input to the cave from soils and drip waters than in May. Estimates of the endmember δ13C values of the air and soil gas data predict a CO2 soil gas at -22 ‰, as expected from decay of overlying C3 plants. 222Rn and CO2 data from air samples at sites 1 and 2 display a positive correlation. 222Rn activities reach a maximum of 134 dpm/L in May but increased to 1358 dpm/L in August at site 2, presumably due to slower air flushing rates. We plan to seal the cave to allow radon and carbon dioxide to grow into steady-state (while continuously monitoring) in order to estimate exchange rates directly from 222Rn models, and thus estimate CO2 exhalation and calcite precipitation rates. δ 13C data reveals air masses throughout the cave are mixtures ranging from 27% soil / 73% atmospheric (site 1) in May, whereas a ratio of 42% / 58% was present in August. At site 2 the composition increased from 47% / 53% in May to soil gas dominated 96% / 4% in August. The mixing ratios appear to be a function of distance from entrance, but data collected during the entire seasonal cycle will reveal detect longitudinal flow-through and exchange with the atmosphere and surrounding soil. These initial data show similar patterns 222Rn activities and CO2 concentrations in cave air, although it is unknown whether the mechanisms are related or independent; further data will reveal the significance of the positive correlation. These speleoclimate studies, when combined with isotope and chemical data from contemporaneous drip water and dripstones will help connect climate variations to paleoclimate interpretations.

Maksimova, Ekaterina Stokes' Drift off the North Florida coast Surface gravity waves cause particles to move slowly in the direction the waves propagate. Based on the wave measurements at two buoys off the North Florida Coast, this 'Stokes' drift' was calculated. Off this coast the Stokes' drift is primarily towards the shore at a speed of a few centimeters per second. The current decreases with depth with an e-folding scale of about 6m. It is stronger in the fall and winter than in the summer. This current can transport fish eggs, harmful algal blooms and pollution towards the shore. Variations in the Stokes' drift from year to year may have a marked influence on some fish populations.

McGregor, Anna; D. P. Nowacek; C. M. Angell; M. J. Moore The influence of body condition on buoyancy in North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) The mobilization of blubber for energy during migration and calving results in significant annual variations in blubber layer thickness for North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis). Using these reserves for energy may increase energetic expenditure for locomotion because these whales also rely on blubber’s positive buoyancy to passively ascend from deep foraging dives. This study tested whether variations in body condition influenced the buoyancy of North Atlantic right whales by comparing the diving behavior of right whales with different blubber layer thicknesses. The three-dimensional orientation of individual free-ranging right whales was recorded with suction-cup archival tags, and the blubber layer thicknesses of those same individuals were measured with an ultrasonic device. Since thicker layers of blubber should increase the amount of positively buoyant tissue on an animal, those animals with thicker layers should have higher ascent rates and longer glides than those with thinner layers. During ascents, animals with thinner layers spent significantly less time gliding and had lower rates than those with thicker layers, while there was no difference between rates and gliding times during descents. These results demonstrate that reduced blubber stores require animals to swim longer and likely expend more energy. Increased activity and reduced foraging caused by unnatural sources (e.g. vessel disturbance, reduced prey availability) may inhibit animals from restoring blubber reserves that were depleted by natural causes because they receive less passive assistance from buoyancy while swimming. Recent studies have documented increased calving intervals, which may be caused by the need for extended foraging to restore their blubber reserves to levels necessary for reproduction.

Misra, Sambuddha; P. N Froelich High precision low-blank Lithium isotope ratios in Forams We present a high precision (±1‰, 2σ) low blank (<500 fg/ml) method for Li isotope measurements of forams using <2 ng of Li by single collector Quad ICP-MS (Agilent 7500cs). The Li isotope ratio of seawater (δ7Li) recorded in planktonic forams has the potential to constrain the evolution of seawater chemistry and elucidate the factors driving variations of oceanic mass balances linked to the continental and sea floor/hydrothermal silica cycles. In addition a δ7Li record of seawater will complement other long-term records of seawater chemistry such as Sr, Os and S isotopes. Li isotope measurements of forams are limited by several factors: low Li concentrations in forams (1-2 ppm), instrument-induced fractionation and mass bias effects, matrix effects, high Li blanks and incomplete recovery of Li during column separation. Modest concentrations of alkali and alkaline earth elements in the matrix result in variable mass bias in the measured Li isotope ratio. Even worse, Li strongly fractionates during chromatographic clean-up to remove Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+, from +100‰ in the leading edge to -100‰ in the trailing edge of elution peaks (Urey 1938). Consequently, miniscule incomplete recoveries of Li during chromatographic separations can result in large unrecognized isotope fractionation of eluents. A difference of 17% in mass between 6Li and 7Li, which makes Li a powerful tracer of geochemical processes, also promotes large and difficult-to-fix isotope fractionations during laboratory chemical processes. Matrix effects of Na & Ca and of column chromatography on Li isotope ratios were investigated using artificial Li solutions representative of foram compositions (matrix matching). Li/Ca and Li/Na ratios in cleaned forams are 10 µmol/mol and 3 mmol/mol respectively. An ICP-MS tolerance limit of 20 ppb for Na and 20 µM for Ca was established, much higher tolerances than for TIMS. A single step chromatographic method to quantitatively separate Li from matrix elements using both small volume resin (3.4 meq/2ml AG50W-X8) and acid (6 ml of 0.5N HCl) was developed. Our low blank (<0.5 pg/ml) and high yield (>99.99%) column method minimizes errors in measured Li isotope ratios associated with incomplete column recovery and presence of matrix elements. High sensitivity and precision achieved with a 7500cs using cold plasma (600W), soft extraction and peak jumping coupled with very low sample to blank ratios enables high precision (±1‰, 2σ) statistically significant Li isotope measurements using very small mass of Li (0.8 ng). The development of this technique makes possible good quality Li isotope measurements from samples that are mass limited for Li, as forams. This will enable us to test interferences regarding chemical cleaning and species effects along the road toward creating a δ7Li record of the seawater for the Cenozoic.

Morey, Steve; D. S. Dukhovskoy; M. A. Bourassa Connectivity between variability of the Apalachicola river flow and the biophysical oceanic properties of the Northern West Florida shelf Maps of satellite-derived estimates of monthly-averaged chlorophyll a concentration over the northern West Florida Shelf show high interannual variability concentrated near the coastline and extending at least 150 km offshore over this wide shelf in a tongue-like pattern from the Apalachicola River during the late winter through early spring. The spatial pattern of these anomalies encompasses clusters of spawning habitats for regionally important finfish. The chlorophyll concentration anomalies are consistent with variations in the flow rate of the Apalachicola River at interannual time scales, which are linked to precipitation anomalies over the watershed. This study examines the interannual variability of the watershed – river – ocean system and mechanisms by which interannual terrestrial climate variability is linked with variability over the northern West Florida Shelf. A series of numerical model experiments shows that intermittent episodes of offshore transport of the Apalachicola River plume across the inner shelf under upwelling-favorable winds provide the physical mechanism for connecting the variability of the river discharge with oceanic variability over the middle and outer shelf.

Nelson, Jim Flux by fin: the true story of little fish on an epic journey to become a snack fish mediated carbon and nutrient flux between northeastern Gulf of Mexico seagrass beds and offshore reef fish communities Nearly every estuarine ecosystem in the world is primarily occupied by organisms that recruit to the system, accumulate biomass, and then egress to either adult habitats or spawning grounds. It has been suggested that this pattern of biomass accumulation and subsequent emigration transports a significant amount of estuary-derived nutrients to offshore environments. However, despite the great numbers of studies that speculate about the importance of this egress or “outwelling” to adjacent ecosystems, very few have attempted to demonstrate or quantify it. While this flux might not equal the amount of nutrients transported offshore passively by water movement, fish-mediated carbon and nutrient flux is of higher quality because the nutrients are packaged into a nutritious prey item and are not lost to bacterial respiration or sedimentation. In warm temperate areas, such as the southeastern Atlantic and Gulf coasts, where numerous small species egress from inshore to offshore in the late fall, this subsidy could be a significant factor driving high offshore fisheries production. The overall goal of my research is to elucidate the nature and magnitude of this process and determine its impact on reef fish reproductive productivity.

Rycyk, Athena; D.P. Nowacek Acoustic environments of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Big Bend region of Florida I examined the acoustic environments of coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Big Bend region of Florida, one of the most pristine coastal environments in the state, by means of remote autonomous acoustic recorders deployed at eight sites. This region harbors a population of bottlenose dolphins that has received almost no study until recently. The rates and types of dolphin vocalizations (whistles, echolocation, burst-pulse calls, and pops) differed between the eight sites. Dolphins were not the only source of noise in their marine habitat; other biological and anthropogenic sounds occurred. Each site was found to have a unique soundscape with respect to dolphin, fish, snapping shrimp, and anthropogenic sound. Toadfish (Opsanus beta), silver perch (Bairdiella chrysoura), and sea catfish (Arius felis) were the only identifiable fish species to produce sound and each caused notable increases in sound levels at low frequencies where they vocalized. Locations exhibited different time peaks in fish produced sounds. Overall, anthropogenic noise was uncommon and only found in the form of boat noise. Surprisingly, dolphin vocalizations were not found at all locations — only at Alligator Harbor, Dog Island, Carabelle River, and West Pass. The lack of dolphin vocalizations does not imply dolphins were not present in these regions only that no dolphins were vocalizing at the time of recordings.

Santos, Isaac Tracing anthropogenically-driven groundwater discharge into a coastal lagoon from southern Brazil We investigated the distribution of naturally-occurring geochemical tracers (222Rn, 223Ra, 224Ra, 226Ra, CH4, 18O, and 2H) in the water column and adjacent groundwater of Mangueira Lagoon as proxies of groundwater discharge. Mangueira Lagoon is a large (90 km long), shallow (~4-5 m deep), fresh, and non-tidal coastal lagoon in southern Brazil surrounded by extensively irrigated rice plantations and numerous irrigation canals. We hypothesized that the annual, intense irrigation for rice agriculture creates extreme conditions that seasonally change groundwater discharge patterns in the adjacent lagoon. We further supposed that dredging of numerous irrigation canals alters groundwater fluxes. While the activities of 222Rn in shallow groundwater were 2-3 orders of magnitude higher than in surface water, CH4 and radium isotopes were only ~1 order of magnitude higher. Therefore, 222Rn appears to be the preferred groundwater tracer in this system. Radon concentrations and conductivities were dramatically higher near the pump house of rice irrigation canals, consistent with a groundwater source. Modeling of radon inventories accounting for total inputs (groundwater advection, diffusion from sediments, and decay of 226Ra) and losses (atmospheric evasion, horizontal mixing and decay) indicated that groundwater advection rates in the canals (~25 cm/d) are over 2 orders of magnitude higher than along the shoreline (~0.1 cm/d). Nearly 75% of the total area of the canals is found in the southern half of the lagoon, where groundwater inputs seem to be higher as also indicated by methane and stable isotope trends. In spite of the relatively small area of the canals, we estimate that they contribute nearly 80% of the total (~52,000 m3/d) groundwater input into Mangueira Lagoon. We suggest that the dredging of these canals cut through aquitards which previously restricted upward advection from the underlying permeable strata. The irrigation channels may therefore represent an important but previously overlooked source of nutrients and other dissolved chemicals derived from agricultural practices into the lagoon.

Scheef, Lindsay The retention of Copepod resting eggs in patches of sea grass in comparison to bare sediment in a high energy area To avoid unfavorable seasonal conditions, some species of zooplankton produce resting eggs that do not immediately hatch. These eggs sink to the ocean bottom and remain there until they experience favorable hatching conditions. The eggs tend to behave similarly to other fine particles in the water column, and will accumulate in areas of high deposition and low resuspension. Seagrass beds are known to be environments that promote the accumulation of fine sestonic particles by inhibiting resuspension, so we hypothesized that they may serve as reservoirs for copepod resting eggs. Two years of field sampling on a shallow reef in the northern Gulf of Mexico has revealed that viable resting eggs of the copepod Acartia tonsa are more abundant in grassy areas in comparison to adjacent sandy areas during times of the year when the seagrass canopy is high. However, this trend disappears in the winter when the seagrass blades have died off and the sediment in the beds is more easily resuspended. Further investigation could elaborate on why the observed patterns occur.

Suryaputra, I G. N. A. The behavior of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the pristine subterranean estuary Changes in the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) reflect the biogeochemical processes in the subterranean estuary and may play a significant role in the primary production in the coastal ocean; unfortunately, little is known about its mechanism. The research conducted in the Turkey Point showed that DOC concentrations vary from around 200, in the deepest layer, to around 3000 mg. L-1, in the surface layer, in the winter and from around 200, in the deepest layer, to around 1100 mg. L-1, in the surface layer, in the fall. This concentration of DOC in the surface layer is almost three times higher than that in the fall because there are more pine needles and sea grasses on the sand, which leach more dissolved organic matter, and also probably less activity of microbial in the winter. The rapid changes DOC concentrations occurred above 2 m underground considered this layer as a labile zone with respect to the biogeochemical processes. There is no strong correlation observed between DOC and salinity showed that it is not only mixing process, but other complex biogeochemical processes also control the mechanism of DOC.

Yin, Jianjun; E. Chassignet; B. Large; N. Norton; A.Wallcraft Ocean climate simulation with CCSM3/HYCOM The latest version of HYCOM has been incorporated into the NCAR’s CCSM3 climate modeling system as an alternative oceanic component to POP. The performance of the CCSM3/HYCOM is first tested by performing long-term integrations with prescribed atmospheric forcing and comparing the results to the standard CCSM3/POP. The comparison consists of an evaluation of the time evolution of the ocean temperature and salinity, ocean currents, water mass distribution and sea ice extent. Special attention is given to the equatorial current system in the Pacific Ocean and the meridional overturning circulation in the Atlantic Ocean. Mechanisms responsible for the identified difference between CCSM3/HYCOM and CCSM3/POP are proposed.

Posters Abstracts At OSB 327, 3pm to 5pm

Boisserie, Marie; S. Cocke; D. W. Shin; J. J. OBrien Impact of TRMM precipitation assimilation on soil moisture in the coupled land-atmosphere FSU/COAPS model Today, soil moisture is widely known for being a key variable for climate studies. Placing an improved spatial and temporal variability of soil moisture into a coupled land atmosphere model would have many benefits for the climatology. However, the soil moisture assimilation is severely limited by a lack of global soil moisture dataset. Another alternative for improving the model-derived soil moisture is to assimilate observed precipitation. Precipitation is the main source of soil moisture and has a great impact on its temporal and spatial variability. In this study, a precipitation assimilation reanalysis (PAR) method based on the physical initialization procedure (Krishnamurti, 1981) is used to improve the soil moisture variability in the coupled land-atmosphere Florida State University/Center of Ocean and Atmosphere Prediction Studies (FSU/COAPS) model. While most of the reanalyses do not directly assimilate the precipitation, the PAR method does it by modifying the vertical humidity profile along with its associated heating. For this, the model precipitation is nudged toward 3-hourly merged TRMM precipitation and the prognostic variables (surface pressure, potential and virtual temperature, divergence and the vorticity) are nudged toward the 6-hourly NCEP R2. The nudging is performed for a long assimilation period of one year to allow the precipitation infiltration deep into the soil. The land portion of the coupled FSU/COAPS model is the advanced Community Land Model (CLM2) with 10 layers for the prognostic soil moisture variable. Using an in-situ soil moisture dataset provided by the Global Soil Moisture Data Bank (GSMDB) and available up to 2 meters depth, we examine the impact of the assimilation of TRMM precipitation on soil moisture in the FSU/COAPS model.

Bozec, Alexandra; E. Chassignet; G. Halliwell; Z. Garraffo, S. Lozier; N. M. Stewart The Influence of the NAO on the Mediterranean Outflow Water Path in the North Atlantic Several questions remain unanswered about the actual role and importance of the Mediterranean Overflow Water (MOW) in the global thermohaline circulation and the Atlantic Ocean circulation. What is (are) the path(s) of the MOW in the Atlantic? What are the mechanisms involved in the propagation of MOW? What is the impact of the NAO on the MOW? To answer these questions, we investigate the variability of the MOW using observations and model. A basic assessment has been made of (a) the seasonal variability of intermediate water masses in the eastern North Atlantic as a function of the atmospheric forcing (North Atlantic Oscillation or NAO), and (b) the models’ ability to represent the MOW as a function of the sidewall boundary condition and as a function of the choice in horizontal resolution. Here, we study the impact of the NAO on the MOW pathway in the Northeast Atlantic. Previous observations show a mechanism of contraction/expansion of the subpolar gyre induced by the NAO letting the MOW reach the Rockall Trough or not. We show here that such a mechanism is also found in a 1/3° HYCOM interannual experiment.

Chien, Chin-Yin; K. Speer Combination satellite and in-situ data to estimate mixed layer depth by1-D second moment closure mixed layer model The atmosphere exchanges mass, energy, and momentum with the ocean through atmospheric forcing in the upper few hundred meters. The forced motions include wind stresses, heat fluxes, evaporation, and precipitation. The dynamics of energy and momentum transfer from wind to water and through the surface mixed layer to the deep ocean are still not well understood. In addition, air-sea and fresh water heat fluxes play an essential role to estimate the heat budget. Generally, sensible heat and latent heat fluxes can affect both ocean and atmospheric temperature. In the atmospheric boundary layer, wind-driven shear and turbulence cause oceanic mixed layer deepening. The mixed layer temperature is largely attributed to the

air-sea heat fluxes. The one-dimensional Kantha-Clayson Mixed Layer (KCML) model appears to predict ocean mixed layer well on the various time scales, from hours to seasonal scale from their studies. In this study, our goal is to validate KCML model in the region of the Southern Ocean by combination of ARGO data, COAPS wind stresses, NCEP/NCAR fluxes, and AMSR-E rain rate. We compare the mixed layer depth from in-situ data and KCML modeling output. The relation of mixed layer depth and air-sea fluxes transfer and base of mixed layer statistics to Argo is also investigated.

Chipman, Lindsay; M. Huettel Degradation of Dissolved Organic Carbon in Permeable Sediments Coastal sea water is characterized by high concentrations of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and is pumped by bottom currents through the upper layers of permeable sand sediments that cover large areas of the continental shelf. Within these sediments, DOM is exposed to enzymes of a large and diverse microbial community that colonize the sand grains. We tested the hypothesis that a fraction of the DOM is degraded while passing through the sediment. Through a combination of in-situ measurements in the Gulf of Mexico and laboratory column reactor experiments, we examined the role of filtration processes on DOM degradation. Our results suggest that filtration through permeable shelf sediments promotes the degradation of DOM.

Dong, Jun; K. Speer Ocean Transition Layer Statistics The transition layer is the region between the surface mixed layer and the stratified interior, generally with elevated spice variance, current shear, and vertical stratification compared to the ocean interior. The transition layer thicknesses (TLT) were calculated from Argo float profiles by full width half pass (FWHP) definition of N2, and mixed layer depths (MLD) were obtained too. The linear regression slope between TLT and MLD >100 m is 0.02 with intercept 13m. The low sampling resolution and the sampling scheme generate large noise and bias for this calculation, which need to do more analysis. Furthermore, the correlation between TLT and wind stress, eddy kinetic energy (EKE) should be investigated.

Dukhovskoy, Dmitry; S. L. Morey; J. J. O’Brien Generation of baroclinic topographic waves by a tropical cyclone impacting a low-latitude continental shelf Numerical model experiments have been performed to analyze the low-latitude baroclinic continental shelf response to a tropical cyclone. The theory of coastally trapped waves suggests that, provided appropriate slope, latitude, stratification and wind stress, bottom-intensified topographic Rossby waves can be generated by the storm. Based on a scale analysis the Nicaragua Shelf is chosen to study propagating topographic waves excited by a storm, and a model domain is configured with simplified but similar geometry. The model is forced with wind stress representative of a hurricane translating slowly over the region at 6 km h-1. Scale analysis leads to the assumption that baroclinic Kelvin wave modes have minimal effect on the low-frequency wave motions along the slope, and coastal-trapped waves are restricted to topographic Rossby waves. Analysis of the simulated motions suggests that the shallow part of the continental slope is under the influence of barotropic topographic wave motions and at the deeper part of the slope baroclinic topographic Rossby waves dominate the low-frequency motions. Numerical solutions are in a good agreement with theoretical scale analysis. Characteristics of the simulated baroclinic waves are calculated based on linear theory of bottom-intensified topographic Rossby waves. Simulated waves have periods ranging from 153 to 203 hours. The length scale of the waves is from 59 to 87 km.

Easton, Erin; T. Spears; D. Thistle Use of mitochondrial cytochrome b as a tool for re-evaluation of the northern Gulf of Mexico species of the Zausodes complex Identification of species solely by their morphological characters can give misleading results because some species may not have differentiated morphologically. DNA-sequence analyses can differentiate individuals

that are genetically similar from those that are not. It thus provides another means of erecting species’ boundaries. When DNA-sequence-analysis results and morphological results agree, workers can view the morphologically based taxonomy with much more confidence and accept the utility of the morphological characters that were used to discern species’ boundaries. Our objective is to re-evaluate the morphologically defined species boundaries of the northern Gulf of Mexico species of the Zausodes complex (Copepoda: Harpacticoida: Harpacticidae) with DNA-sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Harpacticoids were identified morphologically. DNA was extracted from the posterior portion of individuals; the anterior portion was kept as a voucher. A portion of the target gene will be PCR-amplified and sequenced, and haplotype trees will be generated by neighbor-joining analysis of the aligned sequence data. Preliminary results indicate that the morphological and DNA-sequence data are in agreement.

Gihring, Thomas; J. E. Kostka; G. Lavik; M. Kuypers Nitrogen Removal Rates and Temperature Regulation of Microbial Communities Mediating Denitrification and Anammox in Arctic Marine Sediments Despite the potential significance of polar regions to the global nitrogen cycle, few rate measurements of microbially mediated nitrogen cycling are available from polar ecosystems. Rates of nitrogen removal and the temperature regulation of N2- producing microbial communities were investigated in permanently cold sediments (1.5 oC) from Arctic fjords of the Svalbard archipelago. Total N2 production rates ranged from 78 to 1159 umol N m-2 d-1 with anammox (anaerobic oxidation of ammonium) contributing 27 to 92% of nitrogen removal. Anammox activity showed an optimum temperature of 9 oC indicating a psychrophilic response, whereas denitrification activity showed a mesophilic optimum of 26 oC. These analyses are the first direct rate measurements of N removal from polar marine sediments through quantification of N2/Ar fluxes. We also provide the first confirmation of the significance of anammox in Arctic sediments using 15N tracers in intact core incubations.

Gosnell, Kathleen; W. M. Landing; J. Caffrey Anthropogenic influences of Mercury Concentrations in “Snag Lake” Sediment Mercury is a naturally occurring element, however, industrial activities and the burning of fossil fuels have elevated concentrations towards toxic levels in environmental systems. Mercury concentrations in coal tend to be up to four orders of magnitude greater than natural gas or fuel oil. Coal-fired power plants are known to be one of the greatest sources of anthropogenic Mercury into aquatic ecosystems. Sediment samples were taken from Snag Lake, which lies in close vicinity of a coal-fired power plant in northern Florida, and analyzed for total mercury content in order to assess impacts of increased coal burning on measured mercury levels. A timeline of approximately 100 years was established with Pb210 measurements. Snag Lake has a constant rate of sedimentation displaying an exponential rise in mercury content as anthropogenic activities increase environmental loading. Mercury concentrations have increased from past levels of 62.5 ppb to modern values of 443.6 ppb.

Gouillon, Flavien; S. Morey; D. S. Dukhovskoy; J. J. O’Brien Forced tidal response in the Gulf of Mexico This study focuses on modeling the tidal dynamics in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). In particular, the study addresses the problem of differentiating the sources of tidal energy in this semi-enclosed sea. Tidal energy can enter the basin through propagation of tidal signals through the straits connecting the GoM to the Atlantic Ocean, or by local tidal gravitational forces imparted by celestial bodies. This study provides new estimates of the tidal response in the GoM due to these different forcing mechanisms using numerical model experiments with tidal forcing imposed at the open boundaries (OB) and by the local tidal potential (LTP). It also provides new estimates of total tidal power and tidal energy fluxes in the GoM. Analyses are performed with the Navy Coastal Ocean Model run in a barotropic configuration with high horizontal resolution (1/60°). The simulations are compared with observations and previous studies. Results show that diurnal tides in the GoM are dominantly due to co-oscillation with the western Atlantic, and that a substantial amount of semidiurnal tidal energy enters the Gulf through the straits as well. However, the LTP significantly modifies the propagation of the semidiurnal tidal signal within the GoM, and slightly reduces the tidal power associated with the diurnal tides in the basin.

Hughes, Paul; M. A. Bourassa; S. R. Smith Comparison of Surface Turbulent Flux Products The surface turbulent fluxes (sensible heat, latent heat, and stress) are an important mechanism by which the atmosphere interacts with the ocean. For example, the air-sea exchange of heat plays an important role in driving the large scale atmospheric circulation as well as regulating the sea surface temperature. Wind stress at the surface is an important driving force for ocean currents. Thus, accurate global fields of the turbulent fluxes are crucial to the understanding of ocean/atmosphere variability. This study compares the surface turbulent fluxes from nine products and investigates the differences on both basin-wide and regional scales over the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. The forcing variables are also examined to identify causes for differences in the derived flux products. The products based on weather models include the 2nd NCEP reanalysis, ECMWF 40-yr reanalysis (ERA-40), and Japanese 25-yr reanalysis (JRA-25). Data sets based on in situ observations include NOC (formerly SOC) and FSU3. Purely satellite derived products include those from Goddard (GSSTF2), IFREMER, and the 2nd version of HOAPS. A hybrid NWP model and satellite product from WHOI is also included in this comparison. Zonal averages of the stresses and heat fluxes reveal very large differences amongst the various products. For the Atlantic Ocean, the largest differences in the zonally averaged latent and sensible heat fluxes exceed 60 Wm-2 and 15 Wm-2 respectively. Comparable differences are also found over the Pacific and Indian Oceans. These differences are large from the point of view of climate modeling. Regional analysis of the distribution of the fluxes shows large variations between products at all quantiles. For example, NCEPR2 has a large inter-quantile range and unrealistic values at the 1st and 99th percentile in the tropics. In some regions, median latent heat flux values differ by 40 Wm-2 between products.

Humphrys, Michael; T. M. Gihring; H. J. Mills; J. Delgardio; J. E. Kostka Stable isotope probing of microbial community dynamics associated with phytodetritus degradation in marine permeable sediments Stable isotope probing (SIP) in sediment core profiles was used to directly link denitrification and phytodetritus degradation to identification of active microbial populations in permeable sediments of the shallow Gulf of Mexico. Post-bloom conditions were simulated by the addition of isotopically-labeled, heat-killed Spirulina cells to whole-core sediment incubations. Relative to unamended cores, the addition of phytodetritus resulted in sharply increased N2 and dissolved inorganic nitrogen efflux as well as elevated oxygen consumption rates. Fingerprinting of the SSU RNA genes showed an enrichment of the Gammaproteobacteria in phytodetritus amended sediments, and SIP confirmed that the microbial groups that actively assimilated phytodetritus were predominated by the Gammaproteobacteria. Fingerprinting of denitrification genes (nosZ) coupled with SIP revealed the dominant phylotypes likely to catalyze nitrogen removal. Amino acid alignments showed a strong relatedness of 13C-derived clones to NOSZ whereas 12C clones are less related. Thus, our preliminary results suggest that phytodetritus amendment influenced the enrichment of structurally different NOSZ proteins. Higher resolution sequence data is required to better elucidate the structure-function relationships of denitrifying prokaryotes in amended treatments.

Moroni, David; M. A. Bourassa A Global and Regional Comparison of Air-Sea Flux Parameterizations Six turbulent flux parameterizations are compared over six oceanic regions: the Southwest Indian Ocean, South Pacific Ocean, Drake’s Passage, Atlantic Gulf Stream, Pacific Kuroshio Current, and Pacific Equatorial Cold Tongue. These turbulent flux parameterizations are comprised of Large and Pond (1981), Large et al. (1994), Smith (1988), HEXOS (Smith et al. 1992, 1996), Taylor and Yelland (2001), and Bourassa (2006). The first three parameterizations are tested under a sea-state independent condition; the remaining parameterizations are tested under sea-state dependent conditions, where each parameterization has its own representation of sea-state dependency. Each flux parameterizations is tested under three different parameterizations of stability: (1) neutral atmospheric stability assumption, (2) Businger-Dyer relations (Businger et al. 1971; Dyer 1974) for stable conditions (z/L>0) and Paulson (1970) for unstable conditions (z/L<0), and (3) Beljaars and Holtslag (1991) for stable conditions (z/L>0) and Benoit (1977) for unstable conditions (z/L<0). Each parameterization utilizes the following datasets: Coordinated Ocean

Reference Experiment (CORE) version 1.0, Reynolds Daily OI SST, and NOAA Wavewatch 3 (for sea-state dependent parameterizations only). Five turbulent flux quantities (latent heat flux, sensible heat flux, wind stress, horizontal curl of the wind stress, and the cube of friction velocity) are computed globally (from 77° S to 77° N) using the above parameterizations and analyzed by way of a probability distribution function (PDF) over an eight year period (1997 through 2004). PDFs are calculated both globally and regionally, with a seasonal breakdown for each region. Results show the lowest differences among parameterized flux output during neutral atmospheric stability conditions. Conversely, larger differences are seen where there is high atmospheric stability/instability. In mid-latitude regions, the winter season exhibits the highest overall flux output differences, whereas summer reveals the lowest differences; this is particularly enhanced within western boundary current regions, where fluxes are expected to be enhanced by passing cold fronts and intense storm systems. The Kuroshio and the Gulf Stream exhibit very similar distributions, showing the most impressive flux magnitudes and flux output differences. The Equatorial Cold Tongue region is the most impressive, in terms of strong modeled flux agreement; seasonal changes have little impact on the distribution. Drake’s Passage exhibits the highest modeled flux variability among the remaining two Southern Ocean regions, where the winter season contains the highest differences. For brevity, the PDF analysis is limited to the global scale, supplemented by a brief look at the results within the Gulf Stream.

Mwashote, Benjamin; W. C. Burnett Submarine groundwater (SGD) seepmeter measurements: eradication of artifacts and the Bernoulli influence Recent SGD data obtained from experiments conducted using conventional seepage meters (Lee type seepmeters), placed in areas exposed to currents, waves and ocean swells, have been found to be subject to varying degrees of artifacts compared to those placed in relatively calmer environments. The observed artifacts are mainly associated with Bernoulli-induced flow, the vertically directed flow arising due to wave and current movement across topographic features. In an attempt to address this apparent limitation in SGD measurements using this technique, experiments conducted at the northeastern portion of the Gulf of Mexico, next to Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory (FSUCML) using automated heat-type seepmeters (modified version of the Lee type seepmeters), have shown that it is possible to effectively eliminate or reduce these artifacts by simply placing the seepmeter at nearly the same level as the sediment topography. Where the submergence of a benthic chamber is less feasible in the sediment, a viable alternative that proved effective in circumventing SGD artifacts is to deploy in parallel, an identical “blank benthic chamber” inside a non porous material such as a child’s plastic play-pool, as a control. Measurements obtained with this approach compared reasonably well with geochemical tracer techniques.

Rahter, Bryan; L. St. Laurent Turbulence in the Well-mixed to Thermocline Transition Layer The oceanic mixed layer is the dynamically active boundary layer linking atmospheric forcing to the circulation of the ocean interior. By its very definition, the mixed layer is a region of intense mixing, where turbulence supplied by wind and wave energy homogenizes the vertical distributions of temperature and salinity down to depths of O(100) m. Below the mixed layer, in the upper layers of the stratified thermocline, turbulent energy levels are greatly reduced. The transition between these regions is usually assumed to take place abruptly at the mixed-layer base. However, observations suggest that enhanced turbulence penetrates significantly into the stratified water just below the mixed layer. Here, we present an examination of turbulence data collected during 30-days of steady wind-forcing in the sub-tropical North Atlantic. These data will allow for direct estimates of diffusivity and diapycnal flux occurring in the mixed layer/thermocline transition layer. This analysis establishes statistics for turbulence dissipation levels occurring just below the mixed layer, which have not been previously documented. A preliminary analysis suggests that the transition layer often extends 30 m below the mixed layer base, and that diabatic fluxes in this region are 3 times greater than in the thermocline under normal surface forcing conditions. Exceptional forcing events, such as the passage of storms, likely lead to an even stronger enhancement of fluxes.

Rolph, Jeremy; S. R. Smith The Shipboard Automated Meteorological and Oceanographic System (SAMOS) initiative The current status of the shipboard automated meteorological and oceanographic system (SAMOS) initiative will be described. The SAMOS initiative focuses on improving the accuracy of and access to quality-assured, high-resolution (sampling rates ~ 1 min.) meteorological and near-surface oceanographic observations collected on research vessels. In 2004, a data assembly center (DAC) was established at the Florida State University to coordinate the assembly, quality assurance, distribution, and permanent archival of SAMOS observations. The DAC and its partners in NOAA and the University National Oceanographic Laboratory System have implemented a series of daily data transmission from ship-to-shore using an email protocol. All data arrive at the DAC soon after 0000 UTC and undergo automated quality evaluation. A trained data analyst reviews data and responds directly to vessels at sea when problems are identified. All quality evaluated data are freely available to the user community (via http://samos.coaps.fsu.edu) and are distributed to national archive centers. As of October 2007, 12 research vessels operated by NOAA, NSF, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Wood Hole Oceanographic Institution are providing routine data transfers. The authors will outline plans to recruit additional vessels, improve metadata retrievals from vessels, expand data distribution, and advance data quality evaluation. Ongoing activities with our U. S. and international partners will also be included.

Tyson, Reny; D. P. Nowacek; P. J.O Miller Nonlinear phenomena in the vocalizations of North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) and killer whales (Orcinus orca)

Nonlinear phenomena or nonlinearities in animal vocalizations include features such as subharmonics, deterministic chaos, biphonation, and frequency jumps that until recently were generally ignored in acoustic analyses. Recent documentation of these phenomena in several species suggests that they may play a communicative role, though the exact function is still under investigation. Here, qualitative descriptions and quantitative analyses of nonlinearities in the vocalizations of killer whales (Orcinus orca) and North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) are provided. All four nonlinear features were present in both species, with at least one feature occurring in 92.4% of killer and 65.7% of right whale vocalizations analyzed. Occurrence of biphonation varied the most between species, being present in 89.0% of killer whale vocalizations and only 20.4% of right whale vocalizations. Because deterministic chaos is qualitatively and quantitatively different than random or Gaussian noise, we used a program (TISEAN©) designed specifically to identify deterministic chaos to confirm the presence of this nonlinearity. All segments tested in this software indicate that both species do indeed exhibit deterministic chaos. The results of this study provide confirmation that such features are common in the vocalizations of cetacean species and lay the groundwork for future studies.

Van Horn, Tommy; J. Hooper Influence of flow/turbulence and light/turbidity on benthic and pelagic primary production in the NE Gulf of Mexico As of date, no data has been collected however we expect light measurements to show whether benthic primary production is possible. Water samples will be taken and placed in laboratory incubation at in-situ light and conditions showing the potential production of the water column at surface light conditions. A time series will also be constructed to show the dependency of the water column and the benthic production on boundary flow intensity and direction (i.e, higher production after stagnation periods or higher production associated with lower/higher flows). We will also develop a statistical model of the different transport mechanisms impacting the water column (i.e. wind, tides, waves, loop current effects and turbulence.) and determine which mechanism have largest impact on the flow through the water column.