The number of subsea production systems placed in deepwater locations in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) has increased significantly in the last ten to fifteen years. Currently, API-RP2A (2000 a,b) designates the GOM as a low seismic zone, and thus does not require seismic effects to be considered during the design process. However, there have been a number of seismic events with Richter magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.9 that have occurred in this region. As a result, questions have been raised regarding the seismic performance of deepwater subsea systems. This thesis presents an analytical parametric study where a prototype subsea structure was selected based on a survey of subsea systems. The baseline analytical model consisted of a single casing embedded in soft clay soils, which supported a lumped mass at a cantilevered height above the soil. A number of the model characteristics were varied in the parametric study to simulate the structural response of a range of subsea structures. This thesis discusses the impact of API-RP2A Zone 1 and 2 design seismic demands for the performance of subsea structures. The results from the subsequent analyses show that the stresses and deflections produced by the Zone 1 and 2 peak ground accelerations fall within the allowable limits.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the Gulf of Mexico are primarily caused by dense aggregations of the dinoflagellate species, Karenia brevis. Karenia brevis produces a highly toxic neurotoxin, brevetoxin which has been shown to cause Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP) and respiratory distress in humans in addition to a wide range of negative impacts upon natural ecosystems. Karenia mikimotoi is a co-existing species present during K. brevis blooms. K. mikimotoi has caused major HAB events in other parts of the ocean, but has not been recognized as a major contributor to toxicity of blooms in the Gulf of Mexico. K. brevis and K. mikimotoi have both been associated with the presence of unidentified hemolytic toxins. Production of hemolysins has not previously been investigated for either species to date in the Gulf of Mexico. Presence of hemolysins may affect toxicity and the overall impact of HABs. Therefore, detection of hemolysins is imperative for accurate identification of potential harmful impacts of such blooms. The primary goal of this research is to define whether either species is capable of producing hemolytic activity independent of brevetoxin activity; and to identify if there is significant differentiation between a variety of clonal isolates regarding toxicity and growth rate when subjected to variable experimental conditions.

The bioavailability of metabolizable organic matter within marine sediments is one of the more important driving mechanisms controlling benthic pelagic communities. Interactions between organic material and mineral surfaces within the sediment, such as adsorption, can cause organic matter to be unavailable for degradation by organisms; therefore for this study we have used the relationship of organic carbon-to-sediment surface area as an indicator of available organic carbon in northern Gulf of Mexico sediments. We have determined that these sediment interactions demonstrate a significant association with benthic fauna abundances; however they are not the most dominant environmental variables. It may be the combination of biogeochemical parameters, such as organic carbon content, sediment surface area, grain size, water depth and other geophysical variables, that is the ultimate control on the bioavailability of metabolizable organic matter in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Hypoxia (dissolved oxygen concentrations less than 1.4 ml/l) is a recurrent seasonal phenomenon on the Louisiana Shelf, caused by the combined effects of nutrient loading by the Mississippi and Atchafalaya River System (MARS), and density stratification. In 2004, three shelf wide cruises (in April, June and August) were conducted on the Louisiana Shelf to understand the mechanisms controlling hypoxia on the shelf, and examine the relationship between dissolved oxygen and nutrient concentrations during the hypoxic periods. The shelf was divided into three geographically separate zones: A (off the mouth of the Mississippi River), B (off the Terrebonne Bay) and C (off the mouth of the Atchafalaya). Each zone was different in terms of the physical and biochemical processes occurring there. In April, no hypoxia was observed on the shelf because of water column mixing by winds, even though high discharge occurred from the MARS. Nutrients were abundant in the surface waters but present only in little amounts at the bottom. In June, the water column was highly stratified. Because of the presence of upwelling favorable winds no vertical mixing occurred and caused extensive hypoxia on the shelf. Dissolved oxygen concentrations were negatively correlated with nutrients at the bottom of the water column. Nutrients were considerably higher at the bottom than at the surface (except for zone A, where high nutrients were seen even at the bottom), indicating remineralization below the pycnocline. Resuspension of organic material and remineralized nitrogen were sustaining hypoxia far from the river sources. In August, hypoxia was patchy on the Louisiana Shelf. Correlations between dissolved oxygen and nutrient concentration varied seasonally with highest correlations occurring during hypoxic conditions in June and August. The spatial distribution of nutrients and other oceanographic parameters, such as light transmission, fluorescence, and dissolved oxygen concentrations, indicate seasonal variability of biochemical processes that are related to physical processes that affect stratification.

This research was carried out in support of fieldwork in the Gulf of Mexico in summers 2004 and 2005 as part of the multidisciplinary Sperm Whale Seismic Study (SWSS). Important aspects of SWSS research include oceanographic habitat characterization and studies of sperm whale foraging and diving patterns. During the SWSS 2005 cruise, acoustic volume backscatter data were collected using a 38 kHz ADCP for comparison with XBT, MODIS ocean color data, and whale dive profiles extrapolated from analysis of towed passive acoustic hydrophone array recordings of whale vocalizations. This unique data set, collected from a cyclonic eddy, was compared with non-upwelling conditions surveyed in the western Gulf and the Mississippi Canyon in summer 2004. My focus was to examine the relationship between acoustic backscatter intensity from the deep scattering layer (DSL; usually 400-600 m deep) and the depths to which whales dived. The results of the study investigate differences in DSL characteristics between divergent zones and non-divergent zones, and examine connections relating to variations in sperm whale dive patterns. The analysis of 38 kHz ADCP data showed that there were significant differences in some characteristics of the main DSL dependent on time of day. There were no significant differences in characteristics of the main DSL between divergent and non-divergent areas or between 2004 and 2005. The comparison of the 38 kHz ADCP and the 70 kHz Simrad echosounder data yielded a relationship of 4 ADCP counts for every 1 dB of Sv. This relationship was a promising start to a potential calibration for the ADCP instrument. Lastly, the analysis of localized sperm whale dive profiles identified three basic dive profiles; Deep (> 800 m), Mid-water dives to DSL depths (500 - 800 m) and Shallow (<500 m). The analysis also showed that whale dive behavior did not change based on time of day or location. It showed that whales are diving above the DSL as well as through and below, however these dives are independent of differences in DSL characteristics.

My research in coastal Ecuador and the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) elucidated differences in value of shallow estuarine habitats for fishes and invertebrates. I focused on mangrove and tidal river habitats in Ecuador, and oyster reef, vegetated marsh edge, and nonvegetated bottom habitats in the GOM. Coastal Ecuador has lost 20-30% of mangrove wetlands over the past 30 years. Such habitat loss can impair the ecological functions of wetlands. In this study I identified the fish community of the remaining mangrove wetland in Rio Palmar, Ecuador. For comparison, an adjacent tidal river without mangroves, Rio Javita, was also sampled. I found that although Rios Palmar and Javita are characterized by relatively low fish-species richness compared to other tropical estuarine systems, they appear to provide important habitat for several economically- and ecologically-valued species. In the GOM, I examined the fish and invertebrate communities of adjacent oyster reef (oyster), vegetated marsh edge (VME), and nonvegetated bottom (NVB) habitats. Three main relationships emerged: 1) Oyster and VME provide habitat for significantly more species (as a measure of richness) relative to NVB; 2) Oyster and VME provide habitat for uncommon and rare species; and 3) Many of the species collected in multiple habitats occurred at higher abundances in oyster or VME habitat. Contrary to the current low value ranking of oyster habitat relative to other estuarine and salt marsh habitats, oyster provides high quality habitat for many species. Understanding how key species utilize estuarine habitats is critical for future conservation and management efforts. My research indicated that VME habitat may provide better foraging options for juvenile pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), and together with corroborating evidence from other studies, suggest that VME provides a critical nursery function for juvenile pinfish, especially in estuaries where seagrass habitat is sparse or nonexistent. Additionally, I documented that juvenile white shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus) select for oyster habitat because of higher food availability and not because of refuge needs from predation by blue crabs. Oyster habitat appears to provide a nursery function for juvenile white shrimp. Overall, my research demonstrated that structurally complex habitats, such as mangroves, VME, and oyster provide essential habitat at the community, population, and individual levels.

Hypoxia (dissolved oxygen concentrations less than 1.4 ml/l) is a recurrent seasonal phenomenon on the Louisiana Shelf, caused by the combined effects of nutrient loading by the Mississippi and Atchafalaya River System (MARS), and density stratification. In 2004, three shelf wide cruises (in April, June and August) were conducted on the Louisiana Shelf to understand the mechanisms controlling hypoxia on the shelf, and examine the relationship between dissolved oxygen and nutrient concentrations during the hypoxic periods. The shelf was divided into three geographically separate zones: A (off the mouth of the Mississippi River), B (off the Terrebonne Bay) and C (off the mouth of the Atchafalaya). Each zone was different in terms of the physical and biochemical processes occurring there. In April, no hypoxia was observed on the shelf because of water column mixing by winds, even though high discharge occurred from the MARS. Nutrients were abundant in the surface waters but present only in little amounts at the bottom. In June, the water column was highly stratified. Because of the presence of upwelling favorable winds no vertical mixing occurred and caused extensive hypoxia on the shelf. Dissolved oxygen concentrations were negatively correlated with nutrients at the bottom of the water column. Nutrients were considerably higher at the bottom than at the surface (except for zone A, where high nutrients were seen even at the bottom), indicating remineralization below the pycnocline. Resuspension of organic material and remineralized nitrogen were sustaining hypoxia far from the river sources. In August, hypoxia was patchy on the Louisiana Shelf. Correlations between dissolved oxygen and nutrient concentration varied seasonally with highest correlations occurring during hypoxic conditions in June and August. The spatial distribution of nutrients and other oceanographic parameters, such as light transmission, fluorescence, and dissolved oxygen concentrations, indicate seasonal variability of biochemical processes that are related to physical processes that affect stratification.

Many processes in the ocean are interrelated. The direction with which an eddy rotates will determine if nutrients are moved closer to the surface where they can be utilized by plankton to increase the base of the food chain, or it can restrict growth by causing the surface layer of nutrient poor water to deepen below the photic layer. The direction of current flow will also affect the temperature structure, which is a contributing factor in the density of water. A change in density can act as a barrier between the surface and deeper waters, effectively isolating the surface from deep waters. It is important to understand the physical properties in a study area in order to understand the dynamics controlling the distributions of nutrients, which influence the distribution of plankton, which influences the distribution of predator species like squid and whales. The Sperm Whale Seismic Study (SWSS) tracked the locations of sperm whales in the Gulf of Mexico. This study seeks to describe the physical environment in which they live. To that end, various physical properties observed during the SWSS cruises were processed and used in conjunction with sea surface height (SSH) fields from satellite altimetry data. The data from different years and from the same years are used to provide descriptions of the physical environment present during the SWSS cruises and how that environment changed between cruises. A time-series of currents, collected over a six month time period in 2006, is included to document how the currents are influenced by different processes found along the continental slope in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The findings indicate the observed currents are related to local SSH features. Temperature structure can be influenced throughout the upper 1000 m by these SSH features. The temperature structure is stable over time but depends on local SSH features. Properties nearer to the surface are more variable than at depth. Although the overlying wind field most likely influences the currents at 51 m no correlation between winds observed at the Brutus platform and currents observed at 51 m at the Ocean Star platform was found.

The interpretation of 3D seismic data from Ship Shoal South Addition Blocks 349-358, Gulf of Mexico shows a complex interaction between salt, faults, and sedimentary strata. Reconstruction of the geometry of early Pliestocene (about 3.65 Ma) through recent salt and associated sediments reveals the evolution of a supralobal basin in the study area. The basin depocenter shifted from the northeastern part to the center of the study area through time. A small, bulb-shaped, salt-stock structure occurs in the northwest, and a salt sheet structure is present in the southeastern part of the study area. Those structures are part of a pennant-shaped structure bounded by counter regional faults trending northeastward. Salt movements created instability and triggered extensive faulting of the overlying strata. Three-dimensional reconstruction suggests that salt blocked the sediment during the early Pleistocene. The sediment was diverted around the salt high on both east and west sides of the salt body to the southwest and southeast. Stratigraphic interpretation of the interval between 1.35 Ma and 1.95 Ma led to the identification of a highstand systems tract (HST), a transgressive systems tract(TST), and two lowstand systems tracts (LST). The strata are developed normally in the depocenter area, whereas the strata at the basin margin were deformed by salt movement and faulting. Each systems tract is uniquely associated with a certain seismic facies. Three seismic facies were identified associated with LST, TST, and HST. Additionally, seismic sections reveal channel geometries in the LST. Seismic attribute analysis elucidates facies distribution in the systems tracts. Because of its ability to move, to divert sediment, to create instability, and to block sediment transport pathways, salt exercises the main control on the sedimentary processes in the study area.

The bioavailability of metabolizable organic matter within marine sediments is one of the more important driving mechanisms controlling benthic pelagic communities. Interactions between organic material and mineral surfaces within the sediment, such as adsorption, can cause organic matter to be unavailable for degradation by organisms; therefore for this study we have used the relationship of organic carbon-to-sediment surface area as an indicator of available organic carbon in northern Gulf of Mexico sediments. We have determined that these sediment interactions demonstrate a significant association with benthic fauna abundances; however they are not the most dominant environmental variables. It may be the combination of biogeochemical parameters, such as organic carbon content, sediment surface area, grain size, water depth and other geophysical variables, that is the ultimate control on the bioavailability of metabolizable organic matter in the northern Gulf of Mexico.