Lateral dispersion of dye and drifters in the center of a very large lake

Choi, Jee Woong; Troy, Cary D.; Hawley, Nathan; McCormick, Michael; Wells, Mathew G.

doi:10.1002/lno.11302

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…By including random walk turbulence simulations in the model, this reality was represented by a patch of possible drifter initial positions. We used two scenarios of K H (13 and 188 m 2 s À1 ), representative of the 0.2-2 km resolution of our unstructured model grid (Thupaki et al 2013), although diffusion values vary even when forcing and background conditions are similar (Choi et al 2020). In addition to the real stochastic nature of turbulent flow, there are also inaccuracies in the model currents (Figs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicting larval alewife transport in Lake Michigan using hydrodynamic and Lagrangian particle dispersion models

Rowe

Prendergast

Alofs

et al. 2022

Limnology & Oceanography

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Several species of fish in large lakes and marine environments have a pelagic larval stage, and are subject to variable transport that can ultimately regulate survival and recruitment success. Alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus, are subject to transport by complex coastal currents during their pelagic larval stage (~30 d). We assessed backward-trajectory simulations, consisting of a Lagrangian particle dispersion model linked to the Finite Volume Community Ocean Model, to estimate likely hatch locations of aged larval alewife collected from locations on both the eastern and western sides of Lake Michigan during July 2015. We used four deployments of three satellite-tracked drifter buoys in coastal waters to assess model skill in estimating the origin of a drifter from its final location. We found that the trajectories of drifters varied greatly, depending on wind events and associated coastal transport processes, including upwelling/downwelling and coastal jet currents. In 2 of 12 cases, the backward trajectory simulations failed to predict the drifter origin, associated with transport of 170 km in a narrow coastal jet current. In the remaining 10 cases, the known drifter origin was within 3.5 km of the spatial patch of predicted possible origins for a scenario of horizontal diffusivity (188 m 2 s À1 ) consistent with the offshore model grid resolution. Modeled backward trajectories estimated that alewife originated from the same side of the lake where they were collected, within ~100 km of the collection site. Our paper demonstrates the utility of hydrodynamic models to estimate a region of origin for aged larval fish.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicting larval alewife transport in Lake Michigan using hydrodynamic and Lagrangian particle dispersion models

Rowe

Prendergast

Alofs

et al. 2022

Limnology & Oceanography

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“…A study has illuminated that dispersion in coastal regions is anisotropic, showcasing marked differences between the dispersion patterns of dyes and drifters, particularly concerning the orientation of wind and surface currents [52]. Additional research on lateral dispersion in a large lake has highlighted that near-surface shear can lead to varying dispersion rates for buoyant versus nonbuoyant pollutants, thus reflecting the distinct behaviors of dyes and drifters [10]. Importantly, vertical shear, propelled by wind forces, has a pronounced impact on the dispersion of dyes and drifters, with dyes, due to their susceptibility to depth-dependent currents, tending to display wider and more segmented dispersion patterns [27].…”

Section: Vertical Shear Induced By Near-surface Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Drifters, passive devices tracked by satellite, provide direct measurements of surface currents, reflecting the movements of water parcels at the ocean's surface within a Lagrangian reference frame. Consequently, they have been instrumental in monitoring ocean circulations across various water bodies, from lakes and coastal areas to open oceans, moving passively with the surface current [8][9][10][11][12]. This platform has been proven to be an effective means of quantifying horizontal dispersion [13,14] and validating ocean models [15,16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Near-Surface Dispersion and Current Observations Using Dye, Drifters, and HF Radar in Coastal Waters

Kim,

Tran,

Song

et al. 2024

Remote Sensing

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This study explores the near-surface dispersion mechanisms of contaminants in coastal waters, leveraging a comprehensive method that includes using dye and drifters as tracers, coupled with diverse observational platforms like drones, satellites, in situ sampling, and HF radar. The aim is to deepen our understanding of surface currents’ impact on contaminant dispersion, thereby improving predictive models for managing environmental incidents such as pollutant releases. Rhodamine WT dye, chosen for its significant fluorescent properties and detectability, along with drifter data, allowed us to investigate the dynamics of near-surface physical phenomena such as the Ekman current, Stokes drift, and wind-driven currents. Our research emphasizes the importance of integrating scalar tracers and Lagrangian markers in experimental designs, revealing differential dispersion behaviors due to near-surface vertical shear caused by the Ekman current and Stokes drift. During slow-current conditions, the elongation direction of the dye patch aligned well with the direction of a depth-averaged Ekman spiral, or Ekman transport. Analytical calculations of vertical shear, based on the Ekman current and Stokes drift, closely matched those derived from tracer observations. Over a 7 h experiment, the vertical diffusivity near the surface was first observed at the early stages of scalar mixing, with a value of 1.9×10−4 m2/s, and the horizontal eddy diffusivity of the dye patch and drifters reached the order of 1 m2/s at a 1000 m length scale. Particle tracking models demonstrate that while HF radar currents can effectively predict the trajectories of tracers near the surface, incorporating near-surface currents, including the Ekman current, Stokes drift, and windage, is essential for a more accurate prediction of the fate of surface floats.

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“…Currents have historically been investigated in marine settings using a variety of robust and capable sampling equipment, though often expensive and difficult to deploy (Edwards et al, 2006, and references therein). Currents in the Laurentian Great Lakes of North America and similar large lakes (Choi et al, 2020;Edwards et al 2006), in the coastal zone (Sabet and Barani, 2011), and in estuaries (Spencer et al, 2014;Suara et al, 2018;Déjeans et al, 2021) have also been investigated, yet smaller and medium-sized lakes (~50-500 km 2 ) have received less attention than perhaps they should have, despite improvements in technology including the availability of small GPS units as tracking devices (McCormick et al, 2006;Manley, 2010). New technology and low-cost, high-performance materials are therefore unlocking opportunities to measure currents in a wider range of water body sizes, including smaller inland lakes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Economical Open-Source Lagrangian Drifter Design to Measure Deep Currents in Lakes

McCaffrey,

Koeberle

2024

Preprint

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The objective was to construct and test an economical, accurate, and open-source Lagrangian drifter design suitable for lakes <200 km2. Lagrangian drifters are used to trace water currents in marine and freshwater settings and comprise of a low-friction surface float containing instrumentation for location and environmental measurement, tethered to a high-friction drogue at the depth of interest. Oceanic drifters are robust but expensive, and this design tailored to inland lake waterbodies fills a durability and cost gap for lake environments. Water-following characteristics were tested using theoretical drag coefficient calculations, practical drag measurements, and comparison of wind and drifter vectors while deployed on two deep inland lakes (maximum area 175 km2) in the Finger Lakes region of New York, USA. The ratio of drag between float and drogue met or exceeded the minimum value of 40 recommended in the literature, and the vectors of wind and drifter during deployment were independent of one another, meaning the device accurately traced the movement of water currents at depth without undue influence of wind and waves. Each device cost USD $265 in 2021 and was built from materials readily available at hardware and sporting goods stores, allowing their use by research institutions and communities with smaller budgets. This design reliably measured lake currents at sampling depths that ranged from to 30 m. We anticipate that this design will have application to a wide range of hydrodynamic and ecological research where empirical insights to physical processes like lake currents are sought by scientists and managers.

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Lateral dispersion of dye and drifters in the center of a very large lake

Cited by 10 publications

References 30 publications

Predicting larval alewife transport in Lake Michigan using hydrodynamic and Lagrangian particle dispersion models

Predicting larval alewife transport in Lake Michigan using hydrodynamic and Lagrangian particle dispersion models

Near-Surface Dispersion and Current Observations Using Dye, Drifters, and HF Radar in Coastal Waters

An Economical Open-Source Lagrangian Drifter Design to Measure Deep Currents in Lakes

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