Eutrophication‐induced acidification of coastal waters in the northern Gulf of Mexico: Insights into origin and processes from a coupled physical‐biogeochemical model

Nutrient inputs from the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River system into the northern Gulf of Mexico promote high phytoplankton production and lead to high respiration rates. Respiration coupled with water column stratification results in seasonal summer hypoxia in bottom waters on the shelf. In addition to consuming oxygen, respiration produces carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), thus lowering the pH and acidifying bottom waters. Here we present a...