AIR SEA INTERACTIONS | Surface Waves

Abstract

Wind waves relate directly to interactions at the air–water interface that affect turbulent regimes in the atmospheric surface layer and the ocean's upper layer and finally result in exchange of momentum, energy, heat, and moisture. The turbulent boundary layers around the air–sea interface and the interface itself are the unified dynamical system. The air–sea heat–mass–energy exchange is regulated by the turbulence of boundary layers around the air–sea interface. Part of the wind energy and momentum is transferred directly from atmosphere to drift currents, while another part goes into growing surface waves and ocean turbulence.