Spectral Characteristics of the Marine Surface Layer
Abstract
LONG TERM GOALS. The goal of this research is to gain a better understanding of the flow characteristics of the marine surface layers, including the coupling at the air-sea interface. Specifically, the research focuses on the influence of ocean waves on turbulent processes, especially those involved in stress-wave interactions. The long range goal of this research is to develop new and/or revise old theoretical descriptions of turbulence, such that they are universally applicable to both over land and over sea boundary layers. This is to be accomplished by focusing on the physical processes unique to the marine boundary layers through a combination of scale analysis and numerical modeling. OBJECTIVES. The PI s first objective is to improve our understanding of flux profile relationships over the ocean using our profile measurements in the kinetic energy, momentum, and scalar variance budget equations. This involves an investigation of the applicability of Monin-Obukhov (MO) similarity theory to over-ocean measurement in order to determine these functions and their proportionality factors (e.g., the von Karman and Kolmogorov constants). That is, the goal is to determine these functions over the open ocean where a difference with land derived functions is possible due to the fluid ocean surface. The PI s second objective in this research is to investigate how the wave induced flow affects the turbulent processes in the marine surface layer. In these studies the PI will focus on the role that stress/wave interaction plays in modifying the magnitude and direction of the momentum flux within the wave boundary layer (WBL).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA634715
Entities
People
- James Bearer Edson
Organizations
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution