Abstract:

Gulf of Mexico continental shelf that includes Breton Sound estuary and adjacent Breton-Chandeleur Sounds to simulate three-dimensional circulation patterns driven by river and river diversion, tides, and winds. The numerical model mesh covers a much larger computational domain which extends longitudinally from Mobile Bay, Alabama to west of Galveston Bay, Texas and offshore to ~ 300 – 1000 m isobaths over the Alabama-Mississippi-Louisiana-Texas continental shelf and slope. Simulated hydrodynamic variables include sea level elevation, u- and v-velocity component, salinity, and turbulence parameters. The FVCOM simulation period is from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2010. Output file is in NETCDF (Network Common Data Form) format, which is a set of software libraries and self-describing, machine-independent data formats that support the creation, access, and sharing of array-oriented scientific data.

Suggested Citation:

Huang, Haosheng. 2017. FVCOM simulated hydrodynamic variables for the Breton Sound Estuary and adjacent Louisiana-Texas continental shelf, January-December, 2010. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7ZP44JB

Purpose:

Ocean current data are important to predict the distribution and movement of spilled oil, as well as ecologically and biologically important variables (such as nutrients, phytoplankton, etc.), in the coastal environment. In addition, we want to test the feasibility of using river diversion (e.g., the Caernarvon Diversion in the Breton Sound estuary) to prevent oil slicks from flushing into the Breton Sound estuary. FVCOM was applied over the northern Gulf of Mexico continental shelf that includes Breton Sound estuary and adjacent Breton-Chandeleur sounds to simulate three-dimensional circulation patterns driven by river and river diversion, tides, and winds.

Data Parameters and Units:

NETCDF is a self-describing machine-independent file format. The information listed below is included in the netcdf file: Data variable=X, unit=meters, description= nodal x-coordinate (UTM16 projection) Data variable=Y, unit=meters, description= nodal y-coordinate (UTM16 projection) Data variable=Siglay, unit=none, description= ocean sigma coordinate Data variable=H, unit=meters, description= bathymetry Data variable=Time, unit=seconds, description= time Data variable=Zeta, unit=meters, description= sea surface elevation (upward positive) Data variable=U, unit=m/s, description= Eastward ocean velocity Data variable=V, unit=m/s, description= Northward ocean velocity Data variable=Salinity, unit=PSU, description= sea water salinity

Individual Files: