Posted by Patrick on January 21, 2005 at 13:45:52:
In Reply to: Check out this image again. posted by Dick Analog on January 19, 2005 at 11:04:44:
I think the discharged material, at least at the time we were diving, still had not mixed with the total water column. The top 20 or so feet were okay - maybe 15-20-feet viz - but very hazy with suspended particulate. Though there was not a harsh, noticeable thermocline (roughly a 3 or 4 degree difference between surface and bottom), there was a decided improvement in clarity at depth.
From what we experienced, it seems to support your second hypothesis.