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3942476 
Journal Article 
Eutrophication-induced acidification of coastal waters in the northern Gulf of Mexico: Insights into origin and processes from a coupled physical-biogeochemical model 
Laurent, A; Fennel, K; Cai, WJ; Huang, WJ; Barbero, L; Wanninkhof, R 
2017 
Yes 
Geophysical Research Letters
ISSN: 0094-8276
EISSN: 1944-8007 
44 
2 
946-956 
English 
WOS:000395652600041 
Nutrient inputs from the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River system into the northern Gulf of Mexico promote high phytoplankton production and lead to high respiration rates. Respiration coupled with water column stratification results in seasonal summer hypoxia in bottom waters on the shelf. In addition to consuming oxygen, respiration produces carbon dioxide (CO2), thus lowering the pH and acidifying bottom waters. Here we present a high-resolution biogeochemical model simulating this eutrophication-driven acidification and investigate the dominant underlying processes. The model shows the recurring development of an extended area of acidified bottom waters in summer on the northern Gulf of Mexico shelf that coincides with hypoxic waters. Not reported before, acidified waters are confined to a thin bottom boundary layer where the production of CO2 by benthic metabolic processes is dominant. Despite a reduced saturation state, acidified waters remain supersaturated with respect to aragonite. 
acidification; eutrophication; hypoxia; biogeochemical model; northern Gulf of Mexico; Mississippi 
NAAQS
• ISA NOxSOxPM Ecology (2018)
     Cited in the Second Draft
          Appendix 7
          Appendix 10
• ISA NOxSOxPM Ecology (2020- Final Project Page)
     Cited
          Appendix 7
          Appendix 10