Abstract
The Deep Water Horizon oil spill has dramatically impacted the Gulf of
Mexico from the seafloor to the surface. While dispersion of
contaminants at the surface has been extensively studied, little is
known about deep water dispersion properties. This study describes the
results of the Deep Water Dispersion Experiment, which consisted in the
release of surface drifters and RAFOS floats drifting at 300 and 1500
dbar in the Gulf of Mexico. We show that surface diffusivity is
elevated, and decreases with depth. The separation dependence of
relative diffusivity follows a Richardson law at all depths. Time
dependence of dispersion suggests a Richardson regime near the surface
and a mixed Richardson/ballistic regime in depth at scales of [10-100
km]. Finite Scale Lyapunov Exponents and pair separation Kurtosis show
the existence of a Lundgren regime at scales smaller than the Rossby
radius near the surface, and at smaller scales in depth.