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Drifters Follow surface currents to show speed, direction, and dispersion

Purpose : To study the current patterns in Hurricane Hole and their possible affect on the variation in distribution and abundance of corals growing on the roots of mangrove trees in the four inner bays. . Results. Results. Equipment. Hydrolab. Drifter Trajectories in Hurricane Hole.

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Drifters Follow surface currents to show speed, direction, and dispersion

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  1. Purpose: To study the current patterns in Hurricane Hole and their possible affect on the variation in distribution and abundance of corals growing on the roots of mangrove trees in the four inner bays. Results Results Equipment Hydrolab Drifter Trajectories in Hurricane Hole Princess Borck Drifters Follow surface currents to show speed, direction, and dispersion 0.0739 m/s Otter Biophysical influence on coral abundance and diversity in Hurricane Hole, St. John, United States Virgin IslandsSophia McKenzie, NasseerIdrisi, Caroline Rogers, Vanessa Wright, and Laurent CherubinUniversity of the Virgin Islands West Cluster Mid Cluster East Cluster Inner Bay Transects Mouth Transect 0.0079 m/s Water 0.0979 m/s Wind Speed (m/s) and Direction During Drifter Trials HydrolabMeasures temperature: can be used to determine flow 9.55cm • Clusters • Northwest movement • Angles of tracks correspond • with variation in wind speed • Wind showed small south • component during trials • Transects • Borck ,Water, and most Princess • drifters moved southwest • Southeast direction for inner • Princess • Mouth and Otter moved directly • east Inner Bay Temperatures West Mid East Inner Bays Mouth Four observations per day during current meter deployment (12/2/2010 – 1/31/2011) • Conclusions • Wind driven current • Onshore surface flow and • offshore bottom flow indicative • of downwelling • Inner bays protected from wind • Current does not explain high • coral abundance in east bays • Other factors at work • determining coral abundance • Temperature and water • chemistry likely to affect coral • abundance • Through continued study of Hurricane Hole, we hope to better understand the mechanisms by which corals are thriving in an environment typically not suitable for their survival. 55 cm Current Meter Measures speed and direction of bottom currents Methods Note: Inner locations are closest to shore Current Meter Mouth Temperatures Average Current Speed: 0.0424 m/s Variance: 0.0260 m/s Direction: 159.21° (southeast) 18 cm 1 2 3 Hurricane Hole Mouth 4 250 g Coral Bay Inner Mouth 4 3 1 2 Drifter Cluster Release Current Meter Hydrolab Cast 4 3 2 Coral Bay Outer Mouth 1 Acknowledgements Thanks to Jon Moore, Shaun Kadison, Shawn, Kevin Brown, Joanna Gyory, James Herlan, USGS, and EPSCoR for your support. References C.S. Rogers, USGS, personal observation, 2005.

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