The Use of Eddies by Sharks in the North Atlantic: eddies are found over a large portion of the surface ocean at any time with inherent physical and biological characteristics that organisms, from plankton to sharks may utilize int heir advantage. The scope of this relationship is unknown and this is why we are looking into this question with other partners.

Variability in Phytoplankton Community Structure and Diversity from Underway Optics: optical measurements of biological tracers collected while a ship is underway are used to determine  the spatial variability of phytoplankton communities and their relationship to other variables such as salinity and nutrients.

(Sub)Mesoscale Salinity Variability at Fronts: New evidence of submesoscale density fronts (order 1 km spatial scale) brings questions about their implication on ocean circulation or air-sea interaction. We use a variety of in situ and remote data to identify and characterize the distribution of these fronts and their possible implications on ocean dynamics.

Vertical Eddy Structure: In situ and remote observations of eddies are growing but they don’t necessarily help to answer questions about eddies dynamics. Specifically we would like to know the details of the mechanisms responsible for the size and trajectory of observed eddies. We look into comparisons of observations with models to help understand the processes that govern eddies as they propagate and dissipate.

Influence of Surface Mixed Layer on Phytoplankton Blooms:  Relationships between the surface, permeable mixed layer subject to surface forcing and the ocean’s interior is investigated through the evolution of phytoplankton blooms inside mesoscale eddies.

Warm Core Ring in the Gulf Stream: We analyze physical – biological processes associated with the evolution of warm core rings in the Gulf Stream to improve the understanding of biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem dynamics in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean.