Introduction
We present here products and analysis focused on the monitoring of the ocean conditions in the Gulf of Mexico, in response to selected extreme events, such as:
- Mississippi River water discharge during May, June and July of 2011
- Deepwater Horizon oil spill during the summer of 2010
As part of NOAA's mission to study the role of the ocean in climate and ecosystems, AOML scientists have for many years devised methods and tools to allow for the real-time monitoring of ocean conditions. This website is designed to provide some of these tools and products showing the condition of several parameters in the Gulf of Mexico, including information about ocean currents, sea surface temperature, sea level, and ocean color. The products presented here have been obtained using both direct ocean measurements and remote observations collected via satellite, as well as using outputs from numerical models. Also included is a list of links to other web sites and resources dedicated to monitoring the Gulf of Mexico region.
Maps and graphics shown here help scientists, managers, and decision makers, understand more where the water is going, its properties and how they change over time. For example, these fields provide information about flow at different depths using observations and simulations.
For questions about these products, data, analysis and web page, please contact Dr. Gustavo Goni, director of AOML's Physical Oceanography Division, or the appropriate source of information indicated in each product.
For comments and suggestions regarding this web page, please contact Dr. Francis Bringas.
Mississippi River Water Discharge Monitoring
The following products are shown to help understand and monitor the Mississippi River water pathways during May, June and July, 2011.
Gulf of Mexico Conditions
The following products were created to monitor both the Deepwater horizon oil spill and the Mississippi River discharge into the Gulf of Mexico.
Regional Satellite Products: Gulf of Mexico
Maps and plots of time series and residuals of satellite-derived SST and SHA in the Gulf of Mexico Go
Altimetry-Derived Products
Daily surface currents and sea surface height maps from satellite observations Go
Satellite-Derived Ocean Color (Chlorophyll-a)
Daily high resolution maps of ocean color (Chlorophyll-a) Go
Tropical Cyclone Heat Potential
AOML - CoastWatch monitoring of upper ocean heat content or Tropical Cyclone Heat Potential (TCHP) in the GofM, where high values of TCHP have been linked to hurricane intensification. Go
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Monitoring
The following products were created to monitor the Deepwater horizon oil spill during the summer of 2010.
Oil Spill Response Workshop
Agenda of the Workshop organized by NOAA/AOML and NOAA/SEFSC in support of oil spill efforts. Miami, July 1-2, 2010. Go
Ocean Conditions in the Gulf of Mexico
Daily updates of the location of oceanographic features in the Gulf of Mexico Go
XBT and CTD Observations
Measurements of ocean parameters such as temperature and salinity, using eXpendable BathyThermograph (XBT) and Conductivity Temperature Depth (CTD) instruments Go
XCP Observations
Measurements of ocean currents as a function of depth using eXpendable Current Profilers. Go
Access to Delayed-Time and Near Real-Time Data
Access to data from several hydrographic cruises and flights carried out by NOAA and other institutions to monitor physical and chemical properties in the water column. Go