What is the basic objective of the LaTTE research?
LaTTE will improve scientists ability to predict the flow associated with the Hudson River Plume. The Hudson River plume is a mix of river water and substances such as nutrients, contaminants, plants, and organisms that flow into the ocean at a rate of 500 billion gallons per day. The interactions occur in the estuary (defined as a semi enclosed body of water where freshwater from the river and land is mixing with saltwater from the ocean). At the conclusion of the LaTTE project in 2008, scientists will be able to share important knowledge about plume and ocean interaction in one of the most urbanized areas in the world. The scientists have 4 basic objectives: 1. To determine the rate at which the Plume mixes and the effect of the wind, tides, and temperature on the structure of the Plume. 2. To measure the amounts of contaminants (such as metals from industry along the River and from the atmosphere) and nutrients (runoff from agriculture, residential and corporate lawns, wastewater an
