The overall goal of our proposed work is to better understand the physical-biological processes associated with the evolution of Gulf Stream WCRs and provide improved scientific understanding of the biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem dynamics in the shelf-slope system of the Northwest Atlantic.We will investigate the relative roles of vertical mixing and vertical advection induced by frictional decay, eddy-induced Ekman pumping, and wind-SST interaction in terms of vertical nutrient delivery, which is considered as the controlling factor for satellite observed mesoscale chlorophyll patterns. We will also explore the influence of the WCRs in the shelf-slope ecosystem.

Specifically, we investigate patterns of chlorophyll and water mass properties in the continental shelf and slope ecosystem from satellite and quantify vertical mixing and advection of nutrient using models. Ultimately we hope to determine the plankton distribution based on nutrient distribution.