“Physical Processes that Control Coastal Hypoxia of the Texas-Louisiana Shelf”
Dr. Steve DiMarco
Texas A&M University
Monday, February 11, 2008
3:30 PM
Room 3200, Research Innovations Building I
Abstract
The Texas-Louisiana continental shelf of the northern Gulf of Mexico is host to a myriad of
physical processes that can influence the spatial and temporal structure of the hypoxic zone off
coastal Louisiana. The timing, frequency of occurrence, and relative strength of these processes
can combine to enhance or inhibit the mechanisms responsible for hypoxia. Discussed are how
the biological processes that cause hypoxia are related to the physical structures associated
with the Mississippi and Atchafalaya freshwater plumes and how the structures change from
east to west on the shelf. Included are new observations from the coastal Texas Shelf in
summer 2007 of a previously undocumented hypoxic zone.
Biography
Dr. DiMarco received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in physics from the University of Texas at Dallas.
He joined the faculty in the Department of Oceanography at Texas A&M University in 1994
where he is now an associate professor. Dr. DiMarco’s research interests are in the areas of the
physical oceanography of Gulf of Mexico and southwest Indian Ocean, hypoxia of the northern
Gulf of Mexico, ocean observing systems, oceanographic database management, and Texas
drought and regional climate analysis.
Reception before seminar at 3:00 PM
Research Innovations Building I
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA 23529
757-683-5548
Last updated 1/24/2008.
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Copyright Info: Old Dominion University 2008
