Dynamical geography and transition paths of Sargassum in the tropical Atlantic

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Beron-Vera, F. J., Olascoaga, M. J., Putman, N., Trinanes, J., Goni, G. J., Lumpkin, R.
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2022
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author Beron-Vera, F. J.
Olascoaga, M. J.
Putman, N.
Trinanes, J.
Goni, G. J.
Lumpkin, R.
author_facet Beron-Vera, F. J.
Olascoaga, M. J.
Putman, N.
Trinanes, J.
Goni, G. J.
Lumpkin, R.
contents By analyzing a time-homogeneous Markov chain constructed using trajectories of undrogued drifting buoys from the NOAA's Global Drifter Program, we find that probability density can distribute in a manner that resembles very closely the recently observed recurrent belt of high Sargassum density in the tropical Atlantic between 5--10$^{\circ}$N, coined the \emph{Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt} (\emph{GASB}). A spectral analysis of the associated transition matrix further unveils a forward attracting almost-invariant set in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico with a corresponding basin of attraction disconnected from the Sargasso Sea, but including the nutrient-rich regions around the Amazon and Orinoco rivers mouths and also the upwelling system off the northern coast of west Africa. This represents a data-based inference of potential remote sources of Sargassum recurrently invading the Intra-Americas Seas (IAS). By further applying Transition Path Theory (TPT) on the data-derived Markov chain model, two potential pathways for Sargassum into the IAS from the upwelling system off the coast of Africa are revealed. One TPT-inferred pathway takes place along the GASB. The second pathway is more southern and slower, first going through the Gulf of Guinea, then across the tropical Atlantic toward the mouth of the Amazon River, and finally along the northeastern South American margin. The existence of such a southern TPT-inferred pathway may have consequences for bloom stimulation by nutrients from river runoff.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2209_06290
institution arXiv
publishDate 2022
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Dynamical geography and transition paths of Sargassum in the tropical Atlantic
Beron-Vera, F. J.
Olascoaga, M. J.
Putman, N.
Trinanes, J.
Goni, G. J.
Lumpkin, R.
Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics
Dynamical Systems
Probability
Chaotic Dynamics
By analyzing a time-homogeneous Markov chain constructed using trajectories of undrogued drifting buoys from the NOAA's Global Drifter Program, we find that probability density can distribute in a manner that resembles very closely the recently observed recurrent belt of high Sargassum density in the tropical Atlantic between 5--10$^{\circ}$N, coined the \emph{Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt} (\emph{GASB}). A spectral analysis of the associated transition matrix further unveils a forward attracting almost-invariant set in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico with a corresponding basin of attraction disconnected from the Sargasso Sea, but including the nutrient-rich regions around the Amazon and Orinoco rivers mouths and also the upwelling system off the northern coast of west Africa. This represents a data-based inference of potential remote sources of Sargassum recurrently invading the Intra-Americas Seas (IAS). By further applying Transition Path Theory (TPT) on the data-derived Markov chain model, two potential pathways for Sargassum into the IAS from the upwelling system off the coast of Africa are revealed. One TPT-inferred pathway takes place along the GASB. The second pathway is more southern and slower, first going through the Gulf of Guinea, then across the tropical Atlantic toward the mouth of the Amazon River, and finally along the northeastern South American margin. The existence of such a southern TPT-inferred pathway may have consequences for bloom stimulation by nutrients from river runoff.
title Dynamical geography and transition paths of Sargassum in the tropical Atlantic
topic Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics
Dynamical Systems
Probability
Chaotic Dynamics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2209.06290