Coupling an ocean wave model with a global aerosol transport model: A sea salt aerosol parameterization perspective

Abstract

A new approach to sea salt parameterization is proposed which incorporates wind‐wave characteristics into the sea salt emission function and can be employed globally and under swell‐influenced conditions. The new source function was applied into Navy Aerosol Analysis and Prediction System model together with predictions from the global wave model Wave Watch III. The squared surface wind velocity U10 and the wave's orbital velocity Vorb=πHs/TP are shown to be the key parameters in the proposed parameterization. Results of the model simulations are validated against multi‐campaign shipboard measurements of the sea salt aerosol. The validations indicate a good correlation between Vorb and the measured surface concentrations. The model simulations with the new parameterization exhibit an improved agreement with the observations when compared to a wind‐speed‐only approach. The proposed emission parameterization has the potential to improve the simulations of sea salt emission in aerosol transport models.