The Transfer of Energy and Momentum by the Wind to the Surface Mixed Layer

Abstract

Abstract During the initial stages of the deepening of the surface mixed layer, the rate of increase of potential energy is proportional to the input of energy to the mixed layer by the wind. In an attempt to reconcile an apparent discrepancy between the rate of deepening in laboratory experiments (Kato and Phillips,1969) and in the ocean (Denman and Miyake, 1973), a simple model for the momentum and energy transfer by the wind to surface waves and the mixed layer is suggested. The net transfer of momentum τml is the wind stress τ less the local growth of surface wave momentum and the divergence of the surface wave momentum flux, and the net energy transfer Ėml is the work Ė done on the waves by the wind less the local growth of surface wave energy, the divergence of the surface wave energy flux and the viscous dissipation of the waves. Using the JONSWAP wave observations, the net momentum transfer is 0.97τ (Hasselmann et al., 1973). Using a. simple momentum transfer function, allowing direct generation o...