👉 The Louisiana Fluid, also known as the Gulf of Mexico's anomalous freshwater lens, is a unique geological feature characterized by an unusually high concentration of freshwater in the coastal region of southern Louisiana. This freshwater layer, typically less than 10 meters thick, floats atop denser, saltier Gulf of Mexico seawater due to its lower salinity. The formation of this fluid is primarily attributed to heavy rainfall and river runoff from the Mississippi River basin, which dilute the seawater in the coastal areas. This phenomenon has significant implications for local ecosystems, as it creates a stark contrast between the freshwater-rich surface waters and the saline groundwater and deeper waters, influencing biodiversity and human activities such as oil and gas extraction.
