Spray production and surface foam longevity under breaking waves
Abstract
Abstract Appropriate for Public Release Wave breaking in the ocean aerates the water producing sea foam and spray, which both are sensed in EM bands from visible to radio frequencies. This proposed work will help to fill gaps in the understanding the importance of sea foam and spray related ocean surface processes that contribute to surface signature clutter affect the propagation of EM radiation. The specific objectives are to quantify the spray distribution and flux from field scale saltwater breaking waves and to determine the role of turbulence in regulating sea foam longevity at the surface. Experiments will be performed in an outdoor seawater wave tank using laser-based spray measurements, in situ turbulence estimates and, thermal imaging to observe surface foam. Results will be used to validate a more accurate sea spray generation function and to parameterizing the effect of breaking waves and turbulence on the longevity of sea foam.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 22, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512719
Entities
People
- C. Chris Chickadel
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Washington