Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Modification Of Turbulence At The Air-Sea Interface Due To The Presence Of Surfactants And Implications For Gas Exchange. Part I: Laboratory Experiment, Alexander Soloviev, S. Matt, Mikhail Gilman, H. Huhnerfuss, Brian K. Haus, D. Jeong, I. Savelyev, Mark A. Donelan

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Books and Book Chapters

The air-sea gas transfer of gases like CO2 is substantiallydetermined bythe properties of the aqueous diffusion sublayer and free-surface turbulent boundarylayer. Little is known about the effect of surfactants on turbulence in the near-surface layer of the ocean. In order to investigate the effect of surfactants on turbulent exchanges below the air-sea interface, we have conducted a series of laboratoryexperiments at the UM RSMAS Air-Sea Interaction Saltwater Tank (ASIST) facility. Results from these experiments demonstrate that the surfactant monolayer suppresses turbulence and reduces drag below the water surface and increases the surface drift velocity. This effect is important for parameterization …