Why is gulf of mexico water brown

Because freshwater from the river is lighter than the salty seawater, it settles as a distinct layer above the seawater. This phenomenon is called stratification. The freshwater layer acts like a blanket to prevent the exchange of gases, oxygen for example, between the seawater and the atmosphere. This kind of stratification is also observed in other coastal areas, such as in the Baltic Sea between Denmark and Sweden, and in the Norwegian fjords.

In the case of the Mississippi River, however, the situation is exacerbated by the especially high levels of nutrients it contains. The presence of the nutrients leads to profuse algal growth. When the algae die their remains sink into the lower water layer. There they are broken down by bacterial activity, a process that consumes oxygen. What then makes the water appear blue? Water is not inherently blue, we just perceive it to be blue because that is the reflection from the remaining molecules left unabsorbed in the water.

Let me further explain. Water molecules absorb colors like green, red, yellow, etc. Furthermore, here in Destin, Florida we have incredibly fine white quartz sand lining our shores making the perfect backdrop for light to penetrate, further exaggerating whatever molecules, phytoplankton or algae are left in the water, bringing out the dominant color.

How does the water turn Green? The Gulf of Mexico receives large amounts of fresh, mineral enriched deposits from large river basins such as the Mississippi River basin and even in our own backyard, the Choctawhatchee Bay, which is fed by many natural fresh water springs. The presence of these nutrients then leads to profuse algal growth as it mixes with the ocean water.

Phytoplankton, a microscopic plant-like organism, also produces chlorophyll which absorbs red and blue light causing the then remaining dominant color, green, to be the most pronounced.

What makes our water brown? During the fall and winter months in Destin the leaves and pine needles fall, flowers and additional foliage drop their pedals and storms cause trees and other organic matter to fall to the ground. Well it is through a process of decay that these organic materials break down causing our fresh water lakes and ponds to turn brown and even black in color. The excessive rain fall will then cause that decay to wash into our rivers systems, mix in with our bays and coastal waterways causing brackish water and eventually find its way out to our ocean following the tides.

Oxygen is consumed in the deep water as bacteria break down the algae. It was caused by high levels of nutrient runoff into the Mississippi River that left the water emptying into the Gulf of Mexico with high levels of nitrogen. Those nitrogen levels cause overgrowth of algae and other vegetation that deplete much of the oxygen from the water and kills fish.

As dead algae decompose, oxygen is consumed in the process, resulting in low levels of oxygen in the water. Originally Answered: Why is Galveston water dirty? It is caused by the silt washing down the Mississippi that gets pushed by Gulf currents along the shoreline to Galveston. On this excursion you will: Experience how remarkably intelligent and friendly dolphins can be when you swim with them.