Spatial variations in surface microlayer surfactants and their role in modulating air-sea exchange
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
1-1-2001
Abstract
The potential role of surface microlayer surfactants in modulating air-sea exchange processes in the low wind regime is examined. Variations in surfactant concentration and surface microlayer enrichments are compared with variations in the small-scale wave slope spectrum on large and small spatial scales over large gradients in biological productivity and organic matter level. Surfactant films are shown to strongly reduce the one-sided omnidirectional wave slope S(k) at wave numbers k = 100 - 400 rad m-1. The degree of reduction is dependent on the excess microlayer surfactant relative to the underlying water rather than bulk surfactant concentration. The observed wave slope reductions imply corresponding reductions in mass and momentum exchange.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Geophysical Monograph Series
Volume
127
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Frew, Nelson M., Robert K. Nelson, Wade R. McGillis, James B. Edson, Erik J. Bock, and Tetsu Hara. "Spatial variations in surface microlayer surfactants and their role in modulating air-sea exchange." Geophysical Monograph Series 127, (2001). doi: 10.1029/GM127p0153.