Plain Language Summary
Ocean currents’ movement of suspended material is important for
ecosystems as it affects the connection of marine populations and the
distribution of suspended material such as plastics and sargassum. This
research studies the transport routes from the Equatorial Atlantic to
the Yucatan Peninsula by identifying the distribution of particles in
different Caribbean Sea areas. We used different analysis methods to
determine the transport pathways and natural barriers. When barriers are
present, particles cannot reach certain areas without the influence of
wind. We found that particles released during the autumn-winter months
with a 1% windage reached the Yucatan Peninsula in the following year’s
spring, while particles released in the spring months with a 2% windage
reached the area in the summer months of the same year. Understanding
the effect of wind forcing over suspended particles moving over surface
ocean currents allows for better managing and conserving marine
ecosystems.