Multivariate objective analysis of the coastal circulation of Barbados, West Indies: implication for larval transport

This situation produced strong southward currents followed by the onset of vertical velocity shear. Most of the flow variability occurred in the upper 40 m of the water column, which was also found to be the depth of penetration of the low-salinity lenses. These results indicate that the NBCR structure was retained during both intrusions.

Langrangian trajectories using the MVOA currents were found to be consistent with in situ drifter trajectories, suggesting that the analyzed flow field is representative of the near-shore circulation. Tracking of particles released in the surface layer (0-20 m) from the reef shows a maximum residence time of 18 d indicating the possibility of larval retention within the island-scale flow field. Finally, our results suggest that MVOA, within its limitations, is a powerful tool that can be applied elsewhere to infer circulation and larval transport, even in situations when forcing is unknown. "To accurately define and predict larval transport," examine larval retention vs. dispersal, and to "... quantify the time/space scales of the complex coastal current features that promote retention or dispersal." Spatial Data Organization Information - Indirect Spatial Reference: Barbados, West Indies Direct Spatial Reference: Vector Spatial Reference Information - Horizontal Coordinate System Definition - Geodetic Model: