{"id":3509,"date":"2026-08-12T20:31:59","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T20:31:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marine.usf.edu\/comit\/?page_id=3509"},"modified":"2026-08-13T21:27:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T21:27:13","slug":"publications","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marine.usf.edu\/comit\/publications\/","title":{"rendered":"Publications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”COMIT Publications 2021 – 2026″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” text_shadow_style=”preset1″ title_text_align=”center” title_font_size=”39px”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

2026<\/strong><\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”2026 Publications” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” open_toggle_background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” closed_toggle_background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_style=”preset1″][et_pb_section global_module=\"3614\"][\/et_pb_section][\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

2025<\/strong><\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”2025 Publications” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_style=”preset1″][et_pb_section global_module=\"3615\"][\/et_pb_section][\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

2024<\/strong><\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”2024 Publications” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_style=”preset1″][et_pb_section global_module=\"3616\"][\/et_pb_section][\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

2023<\/strong><\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”2023 Publications” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_style=”preset1″][et_pb_section global_module=\"3617\"][\/et_pb_section][\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

2022<\/strong><\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”2022 Publications” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_style=”preset1″][et_pb_section global_module=\"3618\"][\/et_pb_section][\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

2021<\/strong><\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”2021 Publications” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_style=”preset1″][et_pb_section global_module=\"3619\"][\/et_pb_section][\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2026

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPaleoshorelines on the West Florida Shelf as indicators of past sea levels<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Rubiano, C., Hapke, C.J., Naar, D.F., Graham, A.G.C. 2026. Continental Shelf Research<\/em>, 302. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.csr.2026.105762<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abstract: <\/strong>Global sea level history capturing the rise in sea levels since the Last Glacial Maximum, about 20,000 years ago, is generally well-resolved to the scale of millennia. However, when examining this record at a finer scale of hundreds of years, discrepancies remain particularly as it pertains to the timing of accelerated periods of sea level rise caused by outsized glacial meltwater events (or pulses). We present here an inventory of sea level indicators in the form of submerged paleoshorelines that have been identified across the west Florida shelf for the depth range of 45-90\u202fm. The region’s well-preserved carbonate sedimentary record coupled with its tectonic stability provides a setting in which sea level changes since \u223c20 ka have been recorded to a remarkable degree of resolution in the form of paleoshoreline features that formed during still stands or slowdowns of sea level rise. In total, 27 paleoshorelines were identified based on geomorphic identifiers and used as paleo-sea level indicators to put forth a hypothetical scenario for sea level history between 14.2 ka \u2013 11.2 ka. In all, our findings describe 15 previously unidentified features and present new constraints to the sequence of meltwater pulses in the Gulf of Mexico, which challenge current estimates. We suggest that in the periods preceding and in between meltwater pulses (MWP)-1A and -1B, rates of sea level rise were slow enough for the formation of shorelines to occur; followed by periods of rapid sea level rise (MWP-1A and -1B) which were sufficiently high enough to drown and preserve these shorelines in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tImpact of Wave-Current Interaction on a Hurricane Ian Storm Surge Simulation<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
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San, S-C., Liu, Y., Weisberg, R. H., Xu, H., Qiao, K., Lae, J., Zheng, L., John, S., Murawski, S. A., Gilbert, S., Mitchum, G. T., Frazer, T. K. and Pe\u2019eri, S. 2026. Ocean Modeling<\/em>, 202. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ocemod.2026.102734<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abstract: <\/strong>Hurricane Ian impacted the west Florida coastal ocean and adjacent estuarine waters as it moved northeastward across the broad West Florida Shelf from September 28 to 30, 2022. To investigate the role of wave\u2013current interaction in storm surge simulation during this extreme weather event, we coupled the West Florida Coastal Ocean Model (WFCOM) with two surface wave modules: the Mellor\u2013Donelan\u2013Oey (MDO) wave model (MDO-Wave) and SWAVE. Incorporating wave\u2013current interaction improved peak surge simulations, with wave set-up enhancing surge by up to 0.41 m \u2013 approximately 22 % of the peak surge height. However, this contribution exhibited pronounced spatial and temporal variability, with maximum enhancement occurring along the right-front quadrant of the storm track and improvements primarily evident during the peak storm period. Tide\u2013surge interaction played a minimal role in modulating peak positive and negative storm surges, contributing <5 % to the water level changes during the peak surge period. Process-oriented experiments further revealed that while both MDO-Wave and SWAVE produced comparable offshore wave characteristics, they demonstrated notable differences in nearshore wave effects. MDO-Wave simulated approximately 57 % higher nearshore wave set-up than SWAVE, resulting in greater storm surges within coastal and estuarine areas. These findings highlight the importance of wave\u2013current coupling for accurately modeling hurricane-induced storm surge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCoordinated observing and modeling for the West Florida Shelf with harmful algal bloom application<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Weisberg, R.H. and Liu, Y. 2025. Oceanography<\/em>, 38:1. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5670\/oceanog.2025e107<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abstract: <\/strong>The central portion of the west Florida continental shelf is the epicenter for blooms of the harmful alga\u00a0Karenia brevis<\/em>, which tends to form at mid-shelf under nutrient depleted, or oligotrophic, conditions. Whether or not the shelf is conducive to such bloom formation in any given year appears to be related to when and where the Gulf of Mexico Loop Current, a western boundary current, interacts with the shelf slope. If this occurs in the southwest corner, where shallow isobaths wrap around the Florida Keys at the Dry Tortugas, then the entire west Florida shelf may be set into a protracted upwelling circulation that can both reset water properties and transport mid-shelf materials to the shoreline within the bottom Ekman layer. The 2018\u00a0K. brevis<\/em>\u00a0bloom provides one such example, as described via a coordinated program of coastal ocean observing and modeling. Both the elevation of\u00a0K. brevis<\/em>\u00a0cell counts along the coast and their eventual cessation may be largely accounted for by the coastal ocean circulation, as driven, in part, by the Loop Current\u2019s interaction with the shelf slope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRapid Intensification of Hurricane Ian (2022) in High Shear<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Nickerson, A. K., Zhang, J. A., Weisberg, R.H. and Liu, Y. 2025. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres<\/em>,130:13. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1029\/2024JD042024<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abstract: <\/strong>Initially a Category 3 storm, Hurricane Ian (2022) rapidly intensified on the West Florida Shelf reaching Category 5 over the course of about 12 hr. Intensification occurred despite inhibiting factors such as high axial tilt, high vertical wind shear, low atmospheric moisture, and transit over a relatively shallow continental shelf. Using a high-resolution simulation of Hurricane Ian from the Hurricane Weather Research Forecasting (HWRF) model, we examine the factors that both hindered and supported rapid intensification (RI) by blending various methods. We show that an increase in diabatic heating in the eyewall led to an inward radial advection of momentum, seen in both the absolute angular momentum budget and in the azimuthal wind budget. Analysis of the moist static energy budget indicates that the substantial latent heat flux from the surface was enough to balance heat losses through storm outflow. For instance, surface latent heat fluxes exceeded 1,500 W m\u22122 on the West Florida Continental Shelf. As suggested by actual ocean temperature observations that substantially exceeded those in the HWRF simulation, the latent heating may have even been larger. Physical explanations for discrepancies between the simulated Hurricane Ian and observations are provided, particularly those pertaining to the coastal ocean at the time of Ian’s passage. This research provides a comprehensive explanation of the RI of a hurricane using momentum budget analyses as part of a coupled air-sea analysis. Our findings demonstrate the importance of in situ oceanic air-sea measurements in evaluating the performance of coupled models, especially for hurricanes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBathymetric Mapping in the Coastal Zone: Approaches, Challenges, and Opportunities.<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Murawski, S.A., Gilbert, S., Hommeyer, M., Liu, Y., Lembke, C., Grasty, S., English, D., Hu, C., Dixon, T. 2025. Marine Technology Journal<\/em>, 59:62-77. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4031\/MTSJ.59.2.6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abstract: <\/strong>Shallow waters (< 30 c.a. m deep) represent at once the most accessible region of the world\u2019s oceans and coasts, but its most challenging in terms of efficient broad-scale, high-resolution mapping, hazard identification, and habitat characterization. Hazards to navigation are primarily a coastal threat and thus the requirement for high-resolution (< 1 m) maps are critical for well-traveled parts of the coastal ocean. Traditional sonar mapping approaches rely on acoustic swath widths that are proportionally wider with increasing water depths. High-resolution landscape-scale maps in shallow waters thus require numerous closely spaced transects that may be prohibitive in ship time and data processing costs. Alternatives to multibeam, single beam, and side scan sonar include satellite-derived bathymetry, airborne Light-Detection and Ranging, autonomous surface and underwater vehicles, and, increasingly, the use of crowd-sourced bathymetry to gather and disseminate depth sounder data from community participant vessels. Each of these approaches has its advantages (e.g., resolution, synopticity, calibration\/validation, utility in turbid waters, efficiency for repeat measurements) and drawbacks (e.g., costs, platform availability and logistical considerations). Local requirements, challenges, conditions, and capacities will dictate which techniques or combinations render adequate resolution. As an alternative to a single technology solution, we advocate multisource coupling to blend information from multiple mapping approaches with the overall goal being a synthesized map explicitly depicting uncertainties in bathymetry due to differences in observational characteristics of technologies employed. Higher resolution technologies can be deployed where the accuracy of the map is commensurate with elevated threats\/interests. Principles of multiplatform data acquisition, data processing, and display for shallow water bathymetry are illustrated using data collected during the Tampa Bay (USA) Bathymetry Experiment (TBBEx) conducted in 2021\u20102022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMeasuring the Ocean Wave Environment Near MacDill AFB<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Meyers, S.D., Arias, M.E., Kramer, M. and Luther, M.E. 2025. Final Report to The Tampa Bay Estuary Program<\/em>, Oct. 25, 2025. https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1_xrxiM9TVqpv9meVR3ZpdJ7vElPC7tLe\/view<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summary:<\/strong> Erosion of the shoreline around MacDill Air Force Base presents a long-term threat to the
sustainability of base operations. The primary mechanism behind this erosion is generally
understood to be ocean waves and the strong, erratic currents they generate. These waves can be
generated by winds or large ships transiting the nearby shipping channel. Designing effective
protective measures for the shoreline requires specialized understanding of these waves such as
their height, period, and duration, but there has never been a quantitative study of the wave
environment in the vicinity of the base. The primary objective of this study was to reduce this
knowledge gap by deploying wave-measuring devices off the southeast shore of the base. These
instruments measured the water level (yielding wave height and frequency) and the speed and
direction of the currents. The instruments operated in a fixed position about 150 m (492 ft)
offshore for a few weeks. The water was deep enough that the instruments were always
submerged even at low tide, so the water level sensors were always functioning. Wake statistics
along with estimates of the erosion generated by tides, wind waves, and wakes were computed
based on these measurements. Information on the nearby vessel traffic was obtained from the
Automatic Identification System and correlated with the wave measurements.
Significant findings from analysis of the data from these instruments include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n