USGS Studies in Long Island Sound:
Geology, Contaminants, and Environmental Issues

Physical Oceanography is the study of the physics of the oceans, especially the complex water movements and the forces caused by tides, winds, and temperature differences that generate those movements. The physical oceanography in Long Island Sound is crucial both in understanding the distribution of sedimentary environments and in predicting the long-term fate of wastes and contaminants that have been introduced there. Water current patterns and sediment transport patterns create the sea-floor environment that we observe.

Figure 1. Regional bathymetric perspective of Long Island Sound and vicinity. This image was generated from a gridded bathymetric data set.

Figure 2. The maximum tidal currents one meter above the bottom of Long Island Sound. This figure was generated from modeling simulations.

Oceanographic Processes

Link to results on Oceanographic Processes in Long Island Sound in USGS Open-File Report 98-502 and in the Journal of Coastal Research.

Figure 3. Initial view of a flyover of Long Island Sound.

LIS Fly Over

Link to a Flyover of Long Island Sound in USGS Open-File Report 98-502.