The Loop Current — Augmentation of 

 Primary Production 

 March 1979 



The CZCS pigment pattern on 15 March (65-2) correlates with the 

 general thermal pattern shown by the CZCS infrared channel (65-1). 

 Warm equatorial waters are associated with low concentrations of 

 phytoplankton pigment (dark tones) and cooler waters are associated with 

 higher levels (light tones) of pigment. This temperature/ pigment 

 relationship is reflecting the difference in levels of nutrient enrichment. 

 The increased phytoplankton abundance is due to increased vertical 

 mixing which arises from the flow of the Loop Current and from 

 constraints placed on that current by the shape of the Florida peninsula 

 and its continental shelf (64-1). The dynamic topography on the eastern 

 side of the gulf demonstrates that the mean flow is augmented in the region 

 of the Florida escarpment. Associated with this increase in flow is the 

 imbalance between the Coriolis and pressure forces which create the 

 isopycnal flow, causing enrichment of the waters adjacent to the Florida 

 peninsula by deep nutrient-rich water. 



64-1. Gulf of Mexico 

 Continental Shelf 

 and Loop Current 

 Velocity Profile. 



64 



