Published

Depth, potential T, practical S, density data 64PE529 Version 29

Furu Mienis (Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research) Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research https://doi.org/10.25850/nioz/7b.b.1j

Shallow-water coral reef ecosystems are positioned at the critical interface between terrestrial and marine environments, where ocean circulation patterns control the delivery and distribution of nutrients and land-derived substances. This study examines three-dimensional circulation patterns around Curaçao, a southern Caribbean reef island, using Lagrangian particle tracking analysis with the hydrodynamic model SCARIBOS over the period 2020-2024. We analyze two distinct surface flow regimes previously identified around the island: NW-flow periods dominated by the Caribbean Surface Current, and EDDY-flow periods characterized by cyclonic eddies or low-energy conditions. These regimes create contrasting patterns in horizontal surface circulation and vertical exchange, with significant differences in flow direction at the surface layer and enhanced upwelling during EDDY-flow conditions. However, analysis of offshore-to-nearshore connectivity using conditional pathways reveals that these large-scale surface regimes have no apparent influence on the delivery of deeper waters to nearshore coral reef areas. Spatial analysis reveals that volumetric transport decreases from east to west along the southern coastline. The West Point segment exhibits the lowest horizontal transport but the highest vertical exchange, receiving 48% of its volume transport from subsurface layers, contrasting with other segments where surface volume transport dominates (75-87%). These findings demonstrate that three-dimensional circulation patterns create spatially variable conditions for water renewal, nutrient delivery, and thermal regulation, improving our understanding of coral reef ecosystem dynamics and supporting reef management strategies.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Subject Earth and Environmental Sciences
DAS Code 7b.b.1j
Source https://doi.org/10.25850/nioz/7b.b.1j
Version 29
Creator(s)
Mienis, Furu (Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research)
Contact the corresponding author

Bertoncelj, Vesna (Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research)
Depositor Furu Mienis (furu.mienis@nioz.nl)
Publication Date 2025-08-30T10:13:52.170364
Deposit Date 2025-08-30
Dataset Persistent Identifier DOI:10.25850/nioz/7b.b.1j
Alternate identifier
Related identifier
Contributor Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ)
Distributor Research Data Management(NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research)
Distribution Date 2025-08-30
Production Date 2025-08-30
Dates
Funding References
NWO (NWOCA.2019.003)
Sealink
Geographic Coverage