LIDAR INVESTIGATIONS OF THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND SIZES OF DROPLETS IN SPRAY PLUMES FROM OCEAN WAVES
Abstract
Use of a pulsed ruby laser to map the three-dimensional development of spray plumes generated by wave action on an isolated rock at Reef Point, near Laguna Beach, California, proved the feasibility of this technique for observing spray diffusion. Observations of plume diffusion under varying conditions of sea breeze and sea state over the 200m path from the reef to the shore showed plume height to be less than would be predicted by turbulent diffusion theory for smoke clouds in thermal equilibrium with the environment. The small vertical development is attributed to the strong thermal inversions which existed over the water when the investigation was conducted, and to settling of the larger spray droplets. Evaporative cooling of the plume may also limit vertical diffusion. The experimental procedure consisted of taking several shots at each laser altitude and azimuth setting to determine the mean plume envelope, and recording holograms of spray near the breaking waves and farther downwind to monitor the evaporation of the droplets. A better understanding of the generation of giant salt nuclei, so important in warm cloud rain, might be obtained by applying this lidar technique in the tropics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0674811
Entities
People
- Freeman F. Hall Jr.
- J. Y. Ageno