Laboratory Measurements of the Water/Air Flux of Dimethylsulfide Using a Wind/Wave Tank
Abstract
The flux of dimethylsulfide (DMS) from the surface water of the ocean to the atmosphere is an important biogeochemical problem, since DMS contributes to optical haze and potentially impacts global climate by influencing earth's albedo. DMS is also an interesting gas in terms of gas exchange. The rate of flux of a gas across the air-water interface is regulated by its diffusivity and by the hydrodynamics of the two sublayers on either side of the interface. The fluxes of permanent gases are typically controlled by the rate of transport to the surface of the water film, and hence are called "water-side" controlled. The hydrodynamics of the aqueous sublayer are not as important in controlling fluxes of highly soluble gases, which are controlled by transport through the atmospheric sublayer above the interface. Our project indicates that the flux of DMS is transitional; at low wind speeds and in warm water, its flux is water-side controlled; at higher wind speeds in cold water, DMS flux has a significant component of air-side control. Under these latter conditions, flux models as they are usually applied may overestimate flux by 60%. We developed a coefficient, gamma a to characterize the contribution of air-side control to flux.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA335352
Entities
People
- John W. Dacey
- Nelson M. Frew
Organizations
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution