Summary:
The proposed research seeks to describe the transport and fate of contaminants, namely oil and oil-derived substances, in Alabama’s coastal waters. Characterization of transport pathways and estuarine-gulf exchange of mass, momentum, and heat, from the shelf break to the delta, will be achieved through field observations and analysis. Field observations of circulation, water chemistry, and near-surface transport will be conducted through traditional vessel surveys, and GPS-equipped passive drifter releases. Collected data will play a crucial role in the development, application, and validation of hydrodynamic modeling by other investigators.