Particle trajectories at 400m depth - launched at the Deepwater Horizon location

Oil spill response and follow up studies Particle trajectories at 400m depth - launched at the Deepwater Horizon location

Water particle trajectories are simulated using the state-of-the-art Connectivity Modeling System (CMS)developed at the University of Miami (Dr. Claire Paris; cparis@rsmas.miami.edu). Coupling of the CMS to the real-time GoM-HYCOMsimulation provides probabilistic forecast of water particle trajectories.

launched at the spill site (released every 3 days from April 24 to June 2, end time June 9). This illustrates the dominant circulation and IS NOT AN OIL SPILL PREDICTION.
 
Water particle trajectories at ~400m

DESCRIPTION:
This figure indicates particles dispersion first toward the south. Such particles advected by dynamical features of the Gulf can spread quite far. Later on, particles tend to be dispersed in the along-shore direction. Some particles keep being advected by large scale dynamical features and drift southwestward.

It should be noted that the model assimilates satellite observations (surface fields), while data profiles that can constrain the deeper model circulation are extremely limited. Therefore, the predicted deep circulation can exhibit additional model uncertainties.