Acoustic methods for water mass delineation in coastal marine ecosystems

Acoustical methods play an important role in the in the study of nutrient sources for coral reef ecosystems in the south Florida coastal ocean. Many nutrients released into the coastal ocean are released in distinct water masses such as inlet discharge plumes, wastewater outfall discharge plumes, and hurricane‐induced re‐suspensions. Using water column acoustic backscatter profiles, obtained via either ship‐borne instrumentation or in‐situ instrumentation, multidimensional images of nutrient bearing water masses are derived. Said images are of assistance in the design of chemical and biological sampling efforts. Examples of water mass imaging will be presented as well as the use of such images in the design of water quality sampling programs. Using a combination of acoustic backscatter, Doppler current profilers, nutrient (nitrate, nitrite, silica, phosphate, ammonia) samples and microbiological (fecal, protozoa, viruses) samples, flux estimates of said quantities may be made for inlet discharges. Results...