Air‐sea interaction: Connecting the ocean and atmosphere

Abstract

The large‐scale dynamics of the ocean and the atmosphere are closely related. Energy is transferred from the atmosphere to the ocean surface mixed layer driving the circulation of the upper ocean. In turn, energy from the ocean is fed back to the atmosphere affecting the atmospheric circulation, the weather and the climate. The concept is deceptively simple, but as we explore the coupled earth system, we are frequently limited by our lack of understanding of the interchanges between the atmosphere and ocean. As Brown [1990] pointed out, there are two gaps in our knowledge of the air‐sea interface: the theory is inadequate and the data are sparse. More specifically, Kraus and Businger [1994] highlighted several areas that continue to require more attention, the interaction of the wind and surface waves, for example, the parameterization of subgrid scale processes in large‐scale circulation models, and the transfer of gases across the air‐sea interface, among others.