MISSISSIPPI RIVER FLOOD WATERS THAT REACHED THE GULF-STREAM

Distributions of physical, biological, and chemical parameters in Flor ida Keys coastal waters seaward of the reef track were surveyed on Sep tember 9 to 13, 1993, as part of a coordinated multidisciplinary study of surface transport processes. A band of low-salinity water was obse rved along the shoreward side of the Florida Current over the downstre am extent of the survey from Miami to Key West. Biological and chemica l indicators within the band, together with its large volume, satellit e imagery, and a surface drifter trajectory suggested the recent Missi ssippi River flood as the source.