|
|
|
Abstract PATTERNS OF WATER MOVEMENT OVER THE FOREREEF AT CARRIE BOW CAY, BELIZE Karen H. Koltes1 and Thomas B. Opishinski2 Since 1993, meteorological and oceanographic conditions, including
water and air temperature, rainfall and turbidity, have been monitored
as part of the CARICOMP program at Carrie Bow Cay (CBC). In 1997,
an automated monitoring system was established at Carrie Bow Cay
(under CCRE funding) that provides an independent set of weather
conditions and water quality measurements. Qualitative observations
following Hurricane Mitch and other major weather systems that produced
heavy rainfall along the Belizean coast indicated that turbid, low-salinity
water typically passes over the forereef at CBC within 1-2 days.
Qualitative observations also indicated that these pulses were occurring
with more frequency and intensity since CARICOMP monitoring began
in 1993. To better characterize specific water masses on the forereef,
light meters were installed at the CARICOMP site in 13.5m of water
as a proxy for measuring turbidity (water quality). Light intensity
(L/m2) has been recorded on the forereef intermittently since Dec
2002. Light intensity was analyzed along with other CARICOMP measurements
and data from the automated monitoring system. As expected, strong
correlations exist between the light intensity and other forereef
measurements as well as conditions measured on the shoreward side
of the reef (e.g., temperature, incident radiation, rainfall, etc.).
Under normal weather conditions, conditions on the forereef are
fairly stable. Following major weather events, signatures of different
water masses can be seen in the oceanographic records, including
upwelling of deeper ocean water and/or input of riverine (coastal)
water. The appearance of both water mass types correlates strongly
with weather conditions.
|