in bulletin board for regional users. Additionally, three times a week an automated fax of this 
data is sent to test users. This is a demonstration project that will soon have to be discontinued 
since no operational support has been identified. 
9.1.6.5.2. Mesoscale Atmospheric Modeling 
A high resolution non-hydrostatic mesoscale atmospheric model will be employed for prediction 
of the initiation, evolution and distribution of rainfall in the Everglades and Florida Bay and for 
predicting surface wind fields relevant to circulation patterns in Florida Bay. This project is 
being done in cooperation between NOAA/OAR, NOAA/NWS and SFWMD.^ 
9.1.6.5.3. Regional Numerical Ocean Circulation Model 
The circulation of the Intra-Americas Sea (Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and adjacent waters) 
is central to understanding the external forcing of Florida Bay. A modeling system is needed 
that can resolve the mesoscale variability, utilize effectively whatever data are available and 
provide guidance for enhancing the observing system with critical observations. A hierarchy of 
numerical circulation diagnostic and circulation models is envisioned whereby a Florida Bay 
model is nested into a Straits of Florida model, which in turn is nested into a regional scale 
Gulf/Caribbean/Bahamas/Guianas model, which is nested in an existing operational Atlantic 
basin model. This effort is being done in cooperation with NOAA/OAR, NOAA/NWS, University 
of Miami, and the Florida Institute of Technology.^ 
9. 1 . 6 . 5.4. Zooplankton abundance and grazing potential 
Little research has been conducted on zooplankton grazers in Florida Bay. Until recently, the 
Bay was extremely clear and seagrasses dominated primary production. This suggested that 
macroinvertebrates and teleosts grazing directly upon macrophytic plant production were the 
dominant trophic link between primary and secondary production. Key research components of 
this project will be to sample the abundance of the zooplankton community and determine 
grazing rates. Analyses of the seasonal and spatial distribution will be linked to environmental 
parameters. Estimates of primary consumption and fish larval impacts will be made in 
collaboration with other NOAA, FDEP, and academic investigators.^ 
9.1.6.5.5. Environmental controls upon algal blooms, food web structure and carbon flow 
Multifactorial field microcosm and mesocosm experiments will be used to determine the 
importance of various micronutrients, light, salinity, and turbulence in initiating bloom 
formation. Autoecological laboratory experiments will also be conducted. Translocation 
mesocosm experiments will be used where distinct food webs could be subjected to 
remineralization and nutrient regeneration pathways particularly in regard to sediment/water 
column flux.* This work is a joint effort between NOAA/OAR, SFWMD, and FDEP. 
9.1.6.5.6. National Undersea Research Program 
The University of North Carolina, Wilmington, NC, under contract to the National Undersea 
Research Program (NURP) has established a science support base in the Florida Keys, and 
deployed the AQUARIUS habitat. NURP also established local nutrient chemistry laboratories in 
A M. Powell, NOAA/OAR, 4310 Rickenbacker Cswy., Miami, FL 33149. 305 361 4403. 
^ G. Maul, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901 407 768 8000. 
^ P. Ortner, NOAA/AOML, 4301 Rickenbacker Cswy., Miami. FL 33149 305 361 4384. 
W. Gardner, NOAA/ERL/GLERL, 2205 Commonwealth Blvd., Ann Arbor, Ml 48105. 313 741 2235. 
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