Chemistry in the Gulf of Mexico

Mobile Alabama Ponsacola Mississlgyi Rier Mississippi HTMRNT OF THE INTRRIOR 1OE THE INTER Florida Louisiana Biloxi BXPARIMEN DEPASTAH Suspended Sediments Along with water and nutrients, and other ch emical discharges, the Mississippi River also transports a tremendous amount of sediment from the erosion of the land. The Mississippi River drains approximately one-third of the contiguous United States. The sediment contributes to the formation of the delta and is also carried along shore to the east and the west. Most of theload is carried to the west and is a source of the "muddy" water observed by boach-goers along the Louisіапа and Texas соasts Нурохiа Texas New Orleans Excess nuients from the Missisappi River leed phytoplarkton and cause Iarge bilooms. When the phytoplankion die they sink lo the bonom where bacteria use onygin ko degrade the dead oells. Hypoxa results when okypen levels are 2 mal. Hypaxia ocours during the Summer months and when there is INERALA Mach 3. ACANACTA Houston nadeqate ising Hypoxic Zone Freshwater CHEMISTRY IN THE Tampa Sediment Load Sunlight OF MEXICO Froshwate GULF O Eddy Graveyard Eddies are clockwise and counter-clockwise rings of water similar to tornadoes, only not destructive. They "spin-off" from the Loop Current and migrate west across the surface of the Gulf of Mexico. The rings eventually "spin-down" or loose energy in the westen Gulf and die, hence the graveyard. Phytoplankton Phytoplankton are single-celled plants that live in the ocean. Like all plants, they need light and therefore, are found very near the surface (cuphotic zone). They need nutrients to grow and are a primary source of food, making up the base of the food chain. Eddy Graveyard Thermocline The thermocline is the depth range over which the temperature decreases rapidly. Warm, surface water temperature ranges from 25- 35 C (77-95 F). Water at depths greater than 1,000 m (3,280 n) is less than 6C (43'F) The rapid decrease occurs between 300 and 1,000 m (985 and 3,280 fl). Temperature (" C) Thermocline 100 200 300 6 10 15 20 25 30 Freshwater and Saltwater Mixing T. 3 E 400 E 500 600 700 800 900 1000 34.5 Detrital Rain: 35 35.5 36 36.5 37 Salinity () Tiny plants (phytoplarkton) and animals (zooplankton) liva in the water column of the ccean. Whin they die, they sink to the seafloor. This "detrital rain" is degraded by bacteria into nutrients for ocean life. This natural bacterial acivity consumes dissolved oxygen. Cuba Methane Gas Mexico Nutrients Nutrients are inorganic material used as nutrition by the plants that live in the ocean. These nutrients come from degradation of natural and organic material, fertilizer runoff, and atmospheric deposition, such as nitrate in acid Abeu MAS The Minerals Manaan Service (MMSI, a burca within the Departnent of the Inkrior, puuesN FENcarch on the rarine CEniroerment an part of its respornitiity to mnage the mineral resoarees on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in an Cnviroenentally sund and sfe mnr. Virious laws nd regulationn protot the ovioont, the Ntioeal EnNiroental Roicy At and the Outer Contineral Shelf гain. Sediments Brine - ---- Salt Dome Lands Act cover Est ctiviies in the marine enviromenA. The MMS fands sadies that increse knowledge abour the findanental chemkal and physkal processes ocoumring in fhe Galf of Mocico This inforration, conbined with data that Barite Chimneys. When barium, escaping trough cracks in the sealoor, contacts sufate rich seawaler, barium sulfate (Baso,I precipitates to fom chimney-ke structures The mineral structures are 10-30 Oil Seeps: Oll seeps into Gulf waters through cracks and Aesures in the seafloor and can indicate oil deposits below The hydrocarbons (ol) from the naturally cccuming seeps also provide a souroe of chemical energy that supports ocean Ife. The MMS is interested in the identfication of natural seeps. Brine Pools and Gas Hydrates: These ice-like solids are found in ocean sediments at water depths> 300500 m (5-1,640n) and are detected by seismic reflection data. Methane and olher gases are trapped in a lattice of water molecules under high pressure and J Chemosynthetic continues to be collected, will aid MMS in roling decinions 1o aleguand the aiont Salt Domes: Communities: These ooean foor microcosms Visit usa the MMS Internet ste: http:/www.mms.p. Sometimes the salt below the DOsan floor migrabis to the surface, forms a dome, are composed of tubeworms and mussels that contain bacterial For copies of this poster conttuct: 1-800-200-GULF symbionts in their tissues. Some o dissolves, and creates naturaly occurring brine pools, such as Orca Basin. The brine is-7 of these bacteria cxidize sulide and are chemosynthelio. The bubeworms eed on the bacteria wasise and dead bacterial colls cm (4-12 in) high and consist of ি क लে Iinked orystal rosettes of barte. Vww.mms.goy low temperature conditions. They are a food source for biological communides that are studied by MMS-funded rosearchers. U.S. Department of the Interior times as sally as awater MVIS Culf of Mexico OCS Region MMS is interested in natural sources of barium in the Gur. Minerals Management Service MMS 2006-00SP Frosippi River utrients Nutrients Mobile Alabama Pensacola Mississlgyi Rier Mississippi HTMRNT OF THE INTRRIOR 1OE THE INTER Florida Louisiana Biloxi BXPARIMEN DEPASTAH Suspended Sediments Along with water and nutrients, and other ch emical discharges, the Mississippi River also transports a tremendous amount of sediment from the erosion of the land. The Mississippi River drains approximately one-third of the contiguous United States. The sediment contributes to the formation of the delta and is also carried along shore to the east and the west. Most of theload is carried to the west and is a source of the "muddy" water observed by boach-goers along the Louisіапа and Texas соasts Hypoxia: Texas New Orleans Excess nuients from the Missisappi River leed phytoplarkton and cause Iarge bilooms. When the phytoplankion die they sink lo the bonom where bacteria use onygin ko degrade the dead oells. Hypoxa results when okypen levels are 2 mal. Hypaxia ocours during the Summer months and when there is INERALA Mach 3. ANM Houston iradegale mising Hypoxic Zone Freshwater CHEMISTRY IN THE Tampa Sediment Load Sunlight OF MEXICO Froshwate GULF O Eddy Graveyard Eddies are clockwise and counter-clockwise rings of water similar to tornadoes, only not destructive. They "spin-off" from the Loop Current and migrate west across the surface of the Gulf of Mexico. The rings eventually "spin-down" or loose energy in the westen Gulf and die, hence the graveyard. Phytoplankton Phytoplankton are single-celled plants that live in the ocean. Like all plants, they need light and therefore, are found very near the surface (cuphotic zone). They need nutrients to grow and are a primary source of food, making up the base of the food chain. Eddy Graveyard Thermocline The thermocline is the depth range over which the temperature decreases rapidly. Warm, surface water temperature ranges from 25- 35 C (77-95 F). Water at depths greater than 1,000 m (3,280 n) is less than 6C (43'F) The rapid decrease occurs between 300 and 1,000 m (985 and 3,280 fl). Temperature (" C) Thermocline 100 200 300 6 10 16 20 25 30 Freshwater and Saltwater Mixing T. 3 E 400 E 500 600 700 800 900 1000 34.5 Detrital Rain: 35 35.5 36 36.5 37 Salinity () Tiny plants (phytoplarkton) and animals (zooplankton) liva in the water column of the ccean. Whin they die, they sink to the seafloor. This "detrital rain" is degraded by bacteria into nutrients for ocean life. This natural bacterial acivity consumes dissolved oxygen. Cuba Methane Gas Mexico Nutrients Nutrients are inorganic material used as nutrition by the plants that live in the ocean. These nutrients come from degradation of natural and organic material, fertilizer runoff, and atmospheric deposition, such as nitrate in acid Abeu MAS The Minerals Manaan Service (MMSI, a burca within the Departnent of the Inkrior, puuesN FENcarch on the rarine CEniroerment an part of its respornitiity to mnage the mineral resoarees on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in an Cnviroenentally sund and sfe mnr. Virious laws nd repulatien prokot dhe evioment te Nitional .. EnNiroental Roicy At and the Outer Contineral Shelf гain. Sediments Brine - ---- Salt Dome Lands Act cover Est ctiviies in the marine enviromenA. The MMS fands sadies that increse knowledge abour the findanental chemkal and physkal processes ocoumring in fhe Galf of Mocico This inforration, conbined with data that Barite Chimneys. When barium, escaping trough cracks in the sealoor, contacts sufate rich seawaler, barium sulfate (Baso,I precipitates to fom chimney-ke structures The mineral structures are 10-30 cm (4-12 in) high and consist of Iinked orystal rosettes of barte. MMS is interested in natural sources of barium in the Gur. Oil Seeps: Oll seeps into Gulf waters through cracks and Aesures in the seafloor and can indicate oil deposits below The hydrocarbons (ol) from the naturally cccuming seeps also provide a souroe of chemical energy that supports ocean Ife. The MMS is interested in the identfication of natural seeps. Brine Pools and Gas Hydrates: These ice-like solids are found in ocean sediments at water depths> 300500 m (5-1,640n) and are detected by seismic reflection data. Methane and olher gases are trapped in a lattice of water molecules under high pressure and J Chemosynthetic continues to be collected, will aid MMS in roling decinions 1o aleguand the aiont Salt Domes: Communities: Visit usa the MMS Internet ste: http:/www.mms.p. These coean foor microcosms are composed of tubeworms and mussels that contain bacterial Sometimes the salt below the DOsan floor migrabis to the surface, forms a dome, For copies of this poster conttuct: 1-800-200-GULF symbionts in their tissues. Some o dissolves, and creates naturaly occurring brine pools, such as Orca Basin. The brine is-7 of these bacteria cxidize sulide and are chemosynthelio. The bubeworms eed on the bacteria wasise and dead bacterial colls Vww.mms.goy low temperature conditions. They are a food source for biological communides that are studied by MMS-funded rosearchers. U.S. Department of the Interior times as sally as awater MVIS Culf of Mexico OCS Region Minerals Management Service MMS 2006-00SP Frosippi River utrients Nutrients Mobile Alabama Pensacola Mississlgyi Rier Mississippi HTMRNT OF THE INTRRIOR 1OE THE INTER Florida Louisiana Biloxi BXPARIMEN DEPASTAH Suspended Sediments Along with water and nutrients, and other ch emical discharges, the Mississippi River also transports a tremendous amount of sediment from the erosion of the land. The Mississippi River drains approximately one-third of the contiguous United States. The sediment contributes to the formation of the delta and is also carried along shore to the east and the west. Most of theload is carried to the west and is a source of the "muddy" water observed by boach-goers along the Louisіапа and Texas соasts Hypoxia: Texas New Orleans Excess nuients from the Missisappi River leed phytoplarkton and cause Iarge bilooms. When the phytoplankion die they sink lo the bonom where bacteria use onygin ko degrade the dead oells. Hypoxa results when okypen levels are 2 mal. Hypaxia ocours during the Summer months and when there is INERALA Mach 3. ANM Houston iradegale mising Hypoxic Zone Freshwater CHEMISTRY IN THE Tampa Sediment Load Sunlight OF MEXICO Froshwate GULF O Eddy Graveyard Eddies are clockwise and counter-clockwise rings of water similar to tornadoes, only not destructive. They "spin-off" from the Loop Current and migrate west across the surface of the Gulf of Mexico. The rings eventually "spin-down" or loose energy in the westen Gulf and die, hence the graveyard. Phytoplankton Phytoplankton are single-celled plants that live in the ocean. Like all plants, they need light and therefore, are found very near the surface (cuphotic zone). They need nutrients to grow and are a primary source of food, making up the base of the food chain. Eddy Graveyard Thermocline The thermocline is the depth range over which the temperature decreases rapidly. Warm, surface water temperature ranges from 25- 35 C (77-95 F). Water at depths greater than 1,000 m (3,280 n) is less than 6C (43'F) The rapid decrease occurs between 300 and 1,000 m (985 and 3,280 fl). Temperature (" C) Thermocline 100 200 300 6 10 16 20 25 30 Freshwater and Saltwater Mixing T. 3 E 400 E 500 600 700 800 900 1000 34.5 Detrital Rain: 35 35.5 36 36.5 37 Salinity () Tiny plants (phytoplarkton) and animals (zooplankton) liva in the water column of the ccean. Whin they die, they sink to the seafloor. This "detrital rain" is degraded by bacteria into nutrients for ocean life. This natural bacterial acivity consumes dissolved oxygen. Cuba Methane Gas Mexico Nutrients Nutrients are inorganic material used as nutrition by the plants that live in the ocean. These nutrients come from degradation of natural and organic material, fertilizer runoff, and atmospheric deposition, such as nitrate in acid Abeu MAS The Minerals Manaan Service (MMSI, a burca within the Departnent of the Inkrior, puuesN FENcarch on the rarine CEniroerment an part of its respornitiity to mnage the mineral resoarees on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in an Cnviroenentally sund and sfe mnr. Virious laws nd repulatien prokot dhe evioment te Nitional .. EnNiroental Roicy At and the Outer Contineral Shelf гain. Sediments Brine - ---- Salt Dome Lands Act cover Est ctiviies in the marine enviromenA. The MMS fands sadies that increse knowledge abour the findanental chemkal and physkal processes ocoumring in fhe Galf of Mocico This inforration, conbined with data that Barite Chimneys. When barium, escaping trough cracks in the sealoor, contacts sufate rich seawaler, barium sulfate (Baso,I precipitates to fom chimney-ke structures The mineral structures are 10-30 cm (4-12 in) high and consist of Iinked orystal rosettes of barte. MMS is interested in natural sources of barium in the Gur. Oil Seeps: Oll seeps into Gulf waters through cracks and Aesures in the seafloor and can indicate oil deposits below The hydrocarbons (ol) from the naturally cccuming seeps also provide a souroe of chemical energy that supports ocean Ife. The MMS is interested in the identfication of natural seeps. Brine Pools and Gas Hydrates: These ice-like solids are found in ocean sediments at water depths> 300500 m (5-1,640n) and are detected by seismic reflection data. Methane and olher gases are trapped in a lattice of water molecules under high pressure and J Chemosynthetic continues to be collected, will aid MMS in roling decinions 1o aleguand the aiont Salt Domes: Communities: Visit usa the MMS Internet ste: http:/www.mms.p. These coean foor microcosms are composed of tubeworms and mussels that contain bacterial Sometimes the salt below the DOsan floor migrabis to the surface, forms a dome, For copies of this poster conttuct: 1-800-200-GULF symbionts in their tissues. Some o dissolves, and creates naturaly occurring brine pools, such as Orca Basin. The brine is-7 of these bacteria cxidize sulide and are chemosynthelio. The bubeworms eed on the bacteria wasise and dead bacterial colls Vww.mms.goy low temperature conditions. They are a food source for biological communides that are studied by MMS-funded rosearchers. U.S. Department of the Interior times as sally as awater MVIS Culf of Mexico OCS Region Minerals Management Service MMS 2006-00SP Frosippi River utrients Nutrients Mobile Alabama Pensacola Mississlgyi Rier Mississippi HTMRNT OF THE INTRRIOR 1OE THE INTER Florida Louisiana Biloxi BXPARIMEN DEPASTAH Suspended Sediments Along with water and nutrients, and other ch emical discharges, the Mississippi River also transports a tremendous amount of sediment from the erosion of the land. The Mississippi River drains approximately one-third of the contiguous United States. The sediment contributes to the formation of the delta and is also carried along shore to the east and the west. Most of theload is carried to the west and is a source of the "muddy" water observed by boach-goers along the Louisіапа and Texas соasts Hypoxia: Texas New Orleans Excess nuients from the Missisappi River leed phytoplarkton and cause Iarge bilooms. When the phytoplankion die they sink lo the bonom where bacteria use onygin ko degrade the dead oells. Hypoxa results when okypen levels are 2 mal. Hypaxia ocours during the Summer months and when there is INERALA Mach 3. ANM Houston iradegale mising Hypoxic Zone Freshwater CHEMISTRY IN THE Tampa Sediment Load Sunlight OF MEXICO Froshwate GULF O Eddy Graveyard Eddies are clockwise and counter-clockwise rings of water similar to tornadoes, only not destructive. They "spin-off" from the Loop Current and migrate west across the surface of the Gulf of Mexico. The rings eventually "spin-down" or loose energy in the westen Gulf and die, hence the graveyard. Phytoplankton Phytoplankton are single-celled plants that live in the ocean. Like all plants, they need light and therefore, are found very near the surface (cuphotic zone). They need nutrients to grow and are a primary source of food, making up the base of the food chain. Eddy Graveyard Thermocline The thermocline is the depth range over which the temperature decreases rapidly. Warm, surface water temperature ranges from 25- 35 C (77-95 F). Water at depths greater than 1,000 m (3,280 n) is less than 6C (43'F) The rapid decrease occurs between 300 and 1,000 m (985 and 3,280 fl). Temperature (" C) Thermocline 100 200 300 6 10 16 20 25 30 Freshwater and Saltwater Mixing T. 3 E 400 E 500 600 700 800 900 1000 34.5 Detrital Rain: 35 35.5 36 36.5 37 Salinity () Tiny plants (phytoplarkton) and animals (zooplankton) liva in the water column of the ccean. Whin they die, they sink to the seafloor. This "detrital rain" is degraded by bacteria into nutrients for ocean life. This natural bacterial acivity consumes dissolved oxygen. Cuba Methane Gas Mexico Nutrients Nutrients are inorganic material used as nutrition by the plants that live in the ocean. These nutrients come from degradation of natural and organic material, fertilizer runoff, and atmospheric deposition, such as nitrate in acid Abeu MAS The Minerals Manaan Service (MMSI, a burca within the Departnent of the Inkrior, puuesN FENcarch on the rarine CEniroerment an part of its respornitiity to mnage the mineral resoarees on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in an Cnviroenentally sund and sfe mnr. Virious laws nd repulatien prokot dhe evioment te Nitional .. EnNiroental Roicy At and the Outer Contineral Shelf гain. Sediments Brine - ---- Salt Dome Lands Act cover Est ctiviies in the marine enviromenA. The MMS fands sadies that increse knowledge abour the findanental chemkal and physkal processes ocoumring in fhe Galf of Mocico This inforration, conbined with data that Barite Chimneys. When barium, escaping trough cracks in the sealoor, contacts sufate rich seawaler, barium sulfate (Baso,I precipitates to fom chimney-ke structures The mineral structures are 10-30 cm (4-12 in) high and consist of Iinked orystal rosettes of barte. MMS is interested in natural sources of barium in the Gur. Oil Seeps: Oll seeps into Gulf waters through cracks and Aesures in the seafloor and can indicate oil deposits below The hydrocarbons (ol) from the naturally cccuming seeps also provide a souroe of chemical energy that supports ocean Ife. The MMS is interested in the identfication of natural seeps. Brine Pools and Gas Hydrates: These ice-like solids are found in ocean sediments at water depths> 300500 m (5-1,640n) and are detected by seismic reflection data. Methane and olher gases are trapped in a lattice of water molecules under high pressure and J Chemosynthetic continues to be collected, will aid MMS in roling decinions 1o aleguand the aiont Salt Domes: Communities: Visit usa the MMS Internet ste: http:/www.mms.p. These coean foor microcosms are composed of tubeworms and mussels that contain bacterial Sometimes the salt below the DOsan floor migrabis to the surface, forms a dome, For copies of this poster conttuct: 1-800-200-GULF symbionts in their tissues. Some o dissolves, and creates naturaly occurring brine pools, such as Orca Basin. The brine is-7 of these bacteria cxidize sulide and are chemosynthelio. The bubeworms eed on the bacteria wasise and dead bacterial colls Vww.mms.goy low temperature conditions. They are a food source for biological communides that are studied by MMS-funded rosearchers. U.S. Department of the Interior times as sally as awater MVIS Culf of Mexico OCS Region Minerals Management Service MMS 2006-00SP Frosippi River utrients Nutrients Mobile Alabama Pensacola Mississlgyi Rier Mississippi HTMRNT OF THE INTRRIOR 1OE THE INTER Florida Louisiana Biloxi BXPARIMEN DEPASTAH Suspended Sediments Along with water and nutrients, and other ch emical discharges, the Mississippi River also transports a tremendous amount of sediment from the erosion of the land. The Mississippi River drains approximately one-third of the contiguous United States. The sediment contributes to the formation of the delta and is also carried along shore to the east and the west. Most of theload is carried to the west and is a source of the "muddy" water observed by boach-goers along the Louisіапа and Texas соasts Hypoxia: Texas New Orleans Excess nuients from the Missisappi River leed phytoplarkton and cause Iarge bilooms. When the phytoplankion die they sink lo the bonom where bacteria use onygin ko degrade the dead oells. Hypoxa results when okypen levels are 2 mal. Hypaxia ocours during the Summer months and when there is INERALA Mach 3. ANM Houston iradegale mising Hypoxic Zone Freshwater CHEMISTRY IN THE Tampa Sediment Load Sunlight OF MEXICO Froshwate GULF O Eddy Graveyard Eddies are clockwise and counter-clockwise rings of water similar to tornadoes, only not destructive. They "spin-off" from the Loop Current and migrate west across the surface of the Gulf of Mexico. The rings eventually "spin-down" or loose energy in the westen Gulf and die, hence the graveyard. Phytoplankton Phytoplankton are single-celled plants that live in the ocean. Like all plants, they need light and therefore, are found very near the surface (cuphotic zone). They need nutrients to grow and are a primary source of food, making up the base of the food chain. Eddy Graveyard Thermocline The thermocline is the depth range over which the temperature decreases rapidly. Warm, surface water temperature ranges from 25- 35 C (77-95 F). Water at depths greater than 1,000 m (3,280 n) is less than 6C (43'F) The rapid decrease occurs between 300 and 1,000 m (985 and 3,280 fl). Temperature (" C) Thermocline 100 200 300 6 10 16 20 25 30 Freshwater and Saltwater Mixing T. 3 E 400 E 500 600 700 800 900 1000 34.5 Detrital Rain: 35 35.5 36 36.5 37 Salinity () Tiny plants (phytoplarkton) and animals (zooplankton) liva in the water column of the ccean. Whin they die, they sink to the seafloor. This "detrital rain" is degraded by bacteria into nutrients for ocean life. This natural bacterial acivity consumes dissolved oxygen. Cuba Methane Gas Mexico Nutrients Nutrients are inorganic material used as nutrition by the plants that live in the ocean. These nutrients come from degradation of natural and organic material, fertilizer runoff, and atmospheric deposition, such as nitrate in acid Abeu MAS The Minerals Manaan Service (MMSI, a burca within the Departnent of the Inkrior, puuesN FENcarch on the rarine CEniroerment an part of its respornitiity to mnage the mineral resoarees on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in an Cnviroenentally sund and sfe mnr. Virious laws nd repulatien prokot dhe evioment te Nitional .. EnNiroental Roicy At and the Outer Contineral Shelf гain. Sediments Brine - ---- Salt Dome Lands Act cover Est ctiviies in the marine enviromenA. The MMS fands sadies that increse knowledge abour the findanental chemkal and physkal processes ocoumring in fhe Galf of Mocico This inforration, conbined with data that Barite Chimneys. When barium, escaping trough cracks in the sealoor, contacts sufate rich seawaler, barium sulfate (Baso,I precipitates to fom chimney-ke structures The mineral structures are 10-30 cm (4-12 in) high and consist of Iinked orystal rosettes of barte. MMS is interested in natural sources of barium in the Gur. Oil Seeps: Oll seeps into Gulf waters through cracks and Aesures in the seafloor and can indicate oil deposits below The hydrocarbons (ol) from the naturally cccuming seeps also provide a souroe of chemical energy that supports ocean Ife. The MMS is interested in the identfication of natural seeps. Brine Pools and Gas Hydrates: These ice-like solids are found in ocean sediments at water depths> 300500 m (5-1,640n) and are detected by seismic reflection data. Methane and olher gases are trapped in a lattice of water molecules under high pressure and J Chemosynthetic continues to be collected, will aid MMS in roling decinions 1o aleguand the aiont Salt Domes: Communities: Visit usa the MMS Internet ste: http:/www.mms.p. These coean foor microcosms are composed of tubeworms and mussels that contain bacterial Sometimes the salt below the DOsan floor migrabis to the surface, forms a dome, For copies of this poster conttuct: 1-800-200-GULF symbionts in their tissues. Some o dissolves, and creates naturaly occurring brine pools, such as Orca Basin. The brine is-7 of these bacteria cxidize sulide and are chemosynthelio. The bubeworms eed on the bacteria wasise and dead bacterial colls Vww.mms.goy low temperature conditions. They are a food source for biological communides that are studied by MMS-funded rosearchers. U.S. Department of the Interior times as sally as awater MVIS Culf of Mexico OCS Region Minerals Management Service MMS 2006-00SP Frosippi River utrients Nutrients Mobile Alabama Pensacola Mississlgyi Rier Mississippi HTMRNT OF THE INTRRIOR 1OE THE INTER Florida Louisiana Biloxi BXPARIMEN DEPASTAH Suspended Sediments Along with water and nutrients, and other ch emical discharges, the Mississippi River also transports a tremendous amount of sediment from the erosion of the land. The Mississippi River drains approximately one-third of the contiguous United States. The sediment contributes to the formation of the delta and is also carried along shore to the east and the west. Most of theload is carried to the west and is a source of the "muddy" water observed by boach-goers along the Louisіапа and Texas соasts Hypoxia: Texas New Orleans Excess nuients from the Missisappi River leed phytoplarkton and cause Iarge bilooms. When the phytoplankion die they sink lo the bonom where bacteria use onygin ko degrade the dead oells. Hypoxa results when okypen levels are 2 mal. Hypaxia ocours during the Summer months and when there is INERALA Mach 3. ANM Houston iradegale mising Hypoxic Zone Freshwater CHEMISTRY IN THE Tampa Sediment Load Sunlight OF MEXICO Froshwate GULF O Eddy Graveyard Eddies are clockwise and counter-clockwise rings of water similar to tornadoes, only not destructive. They "spin-off" from the Loop Current and migrate west across the surface of the Gulf of Mexico. The rings eventually "spin-down" or loose energy in the westen Gulf and die, hence the graveyard. Phytoplankton Phytoplankton are single-celled plants that live in the ocean. Like all plants, they need light and therefore, are found very near the surface (cuphotic zone). They need nutrients to grow and are a primary source of food, making up the base of the food chain. Eddy Graveyard Thermocline The thermocline is the depth range over which the temperature decreases rapidly. Warm, surface water temperature ranges from 25- 35 C (77-95 F). Water at depths greater than 1,000 m (3,280 n) is less than 6C (43'F) The rapid decrease occurs between 300 and 1,000 m (985 and 3,280 fl). Temperature (" C) Thermocline 100 200 300 6 10 16 20 25 30 Freshwater and Saltwater Mixing T. 3 E 400 E 500 600 700 800 900 1000 34.5 Detrital Rain: 35 35.5 36 36.5 37 Salinity () Tiny plants (phytoplarkton) and animals (zooplankton) liva in the water column of the ccean. Whin they die, they sink to the seafloor. This "detrital rain" is degraded by bacteria into nutrients for ocean life. This natural bacterial acivity consumes dissolved oxygen. Cuba Methane Gas Mexico Nutrients Nutrients are inorganic material used as nutrition by the plants that live in the ocean. These nutrients come from degradation of natural and organic material, fertilizer runoff, and atmospheric deposition, such as nitrate in acid Abeu MAS The Minerals Manaan Service (MMSI, a burca within the Departnent of the Inkrior, puuesN FENcarch on the rarine CEniroerment an part of its respornitiity to mnage the mineral resoarees on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in an Cnviroenentally sund and sfe mnr. Virious laws nd repulatien prokot dhe evioment te Nitional .. EnNiroental Roicy At and the Outer Contineral Shelf гain. Sediments Brine - ---- Salt Dome Lands Act cover Est ctiviies in the marine enviromenA. The MMS fands sadies that increse knowledge abour the findanental chemkal and physkal processes ocoumring in fhe Galf of Mocico This inforration, conbined with data that Barite Chimneys. When barium, escaping trough cracks in the sealoor, contacts sufate rich seawaler, barium sulfate (Baso,I precipitates to fom chimney-ke structures The mineral structures are 10-30 cm (4-12 in) high and consist of Iinked orystal rosettes of barte. MMS is interested in natural sources of barium in the Gur. Oil Seeps: Oll seeps into Gulf waters through cracks and Aesures in the seafloor and can indicate oil deposits below The hydrocarbons (ol) from the naturally cccuming seeps also provide a souroe of chemical energy that supports ocean Ife. The MMS is interested in the identfication of natural seeps. Brine Pools and Gas Hydrates: These ice-like solids are found in ocean sediments at water depths> 300500 m (5-1,640n) and are detected by seismic reflection data. Methane and olher gases are trapped in a lattice of water molecules under high pressure and J Chemosynthetic continues to be collected, will aid MMS in roling decinions 1o aleguand the aiont Salt Domes: Communities: Visit usa the MMS Internet ste: http:/www.mms.p. These coean foor microcosms are composed of tubeworms and mussels that contain bacterial Sometimes the salt below the DOsan floor migrabis to the surface, forms a dome, For copies of this poster conttuct: 1-800-200-GULF symbionts in their tissues. Some o dissolves, and creates naturaly occurring brine pools, such as Orca Basin. The brine is-7 of these bacteria cxidize sulide and are chemosynthelio. The bubeworms eed on the bacteria wasise and dead bacterial colls Vww.mms.goy low temperature conditions. They are a food source for biological communides that are studied by MMS-funded rosearchers. U.S. Department of the Interior times as sally as awater MVIS Culf of Mexico OCS Region Minerals Management Service MMS 2006-00SP Frosippi River utrients Nutrients