Streaming Media
Presentation Abstract
In the northern end of the Salish Sea, the Discovery Islands region is a network of deep fjords and narrow channels between Vancouver Island and British Columbia’s mainland. The complex interaction of fresh water inputs, bathymetry, and marine and atmospheric forcing leads to rich marine ecosystems, which sustain wild salmon during their migration as well as orcas and other species. In 2019, summer observations in two nearby fjords, Bute Inlet and Toba Inlet, showed quite different oxygen characteristics. While Bute was fully oxygenated and had high oxygen concentrations in the upper waters, Toba experienced an oxygen minimum layer, with near-hypoxic waters. In this work, we aim to explore the mechanisms that led to these differences by the means of a coupled physical-biogeochemical ocean model. Our physical model is a high resolution (up to ~60 m) application of the Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM) that extends from the northern tip of Texada Island to Johnstone Strait. The biogeochemical module, called FVCOM-ICM, allows for the representation of plankton, nutrient and oxygen dynamics in the region. In particular, we are interested in understanding what are the key processes dominating the distribution of dissolved oxygen concentrations, how they differ between the two neighbouring inlets, and whether these processes could change along with climate. In this presentation, we will discuss our latest results and future plans.
Session Title
Data Science 1
Conference Track
SSE1: Science for the Future
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2022 : Online)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE-traditionals-290
Start Date
26-4-2022 1:30 PM
End Date
26-4-2022 3:00 PM
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Type
Text
Language
English
Understanding oxygen dynamics in two Discovery Islands fjords with different oxygen characteristics (oxic vs. hypoxic subsurface waters)
In the northern end of the Salish Sea, the Discovery Islands region is a network of deep fjords and narrow channels between Vancouver Island and British Columbia’s mainland. The complex interaction of fresh water inputs, bathymetry, and marine and atmospheric forcing leads to rich marine ecosystems, which sustain wild salmon during their migration as well as orcas and other species. In 2019, summer observations in two nearby fjords, Bute Inlet and Toba Inlet, showed quite different oxygen characteristics. While Bute was fully oxygenated and had high oxygen concentrations in the upper waters, Toba experienced an oxygen minimum layer, with near-hypoxic waters. In this work, we aim to explore the mechanisms that led to these differences by the means of a coupled physical-biogeochemical ocean model. Our physical model is a high resolution (up to ~60 m) application of the Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM) that extends from the northern tip of Texada Island to Johnstone Strait. The biogeochemical module, called FVCOM-ICM, allows for the representation of plankton, nutrient and oxygen dynamics in the region. In particular, we are interested in understanding what are the key processes dominating the distribution of dissolved oxygen concentrations, how they differ between the two neighbouring inlets, and whether these processes could change along with climate. In this presentation, we will discuss our latest results and future plans.
