3.2.4 Case study: particle confluence near the Yucatan
Peninsula
This section analyzes connectivity with the nearshore area in the
Mexican Caribbean defined by zone 2. Before reaching zone 2, the
released particles are strongly influenced by the persistent cLCS in
zone 4, off the coast of Honduras and Nicaragua (Figure 9). These
prominent cLCS tend to attract trajectories as seen by most particle
density maxima within the CS interior, yet effectively block onshore
transport keeping zone 3 isolated as seen through persistent particle
density minima (Figures 5 and 6). An exception occurs with 2% windage
when particles are released in March and September (Figure 6b). SOMs
with 1% and 2% windage have more trajectories reaching the coast but
also have several instances where the cLCS redirect transport
northeastward (Figure 7). Thus, the cLCS in zone 4 effectively attracts
particles and redirects them northward. Further north, next to the coast
of Mexico (north of about 18.5N), the Yucatan Current creates a strong
transport barrier that persists year-round along the Mexican coast
between ~18oN to
21oN (Figure 9). However, the maximum attraction has
variations in intensity and spatial coverage. During May and December,
the barrier may be less protective than in other months, and September
is the only month in which the cLCS from zone 2 connect with the cLCS
from zone 4, suggesting a direct path towards the GoM.