Destressing Math Collective with Sophia Midgley

Sophia Midgley '25 will give a talk titled "Intrusions of Warm Core Ring Water onto the Mid-Atlantic Bight Shelf alleviate ocean acidification but decrease Cold Pool size." Snacks start at 6:30 p.m. in the Math Lounge.

Abstract: Gulf Stream Warm Core Ring (WCR) activity has increased since the year 2000, and intrusions of WCRs into coastal shelf water of the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB) have been observed to contribute to recent warming and to alleviate ocean acidification, highlighting dynamic multi-stressor transitions. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of WCR activity on MAB carbonate chemistry and the Cold Pool, summertime (Jun, Jul, Aug) oceanographic data were obtained from several projects from 2017- 2022 using Slocum glider AUVs and analyzed. We found that increased frequency of WCR activity and coastal intrusions, which is projected to continue in the U.S. Northeast Shelf region that includes the MAB, may help to alleviate ocean acidification but will increase summer bottom water temperatures and decrease Cold Pool habitat that is home for many organisms, including the commercially important yellowtail flounder and Atlantic sea scallop.