Measuring Vortex Force and Turbulence Fluxes in the Oceanic Surface Boundary Layer

0002331 Lien/UWThe intent of this study is to use a novel instrument，the Electromagnetic Vorticity Meter，to directly measure the flow vorticity which，in combination with the Stokes drift associated with the surface waves，gives rise to the“vortex force”，identified by theoretical explanations of roll vortices in the mixed layer（Langmuir cell）as the primary cause of these vortices. 另一个目标是确定垂直或水平涡度的哪个分量对朗缪尔单元的形成最关键，从而区分竞争理论。 涡度测量将辅以温度、盐度和湍流参数的观测。 虽然朗缪尔细胞的理论已经存在了很长一段时间，直接验证他们的中心假设与现场观测一直缺乏，因为难以直接测量的涡度在混合层。 这项研究提供了能够进行这种测量的可能性。 更好地了解朗缪尔细胞将有助于海洋学家更清楚地了解海洋上层几米的混合情况，并可能导致在海洋和气候的计算机模型中改进这种混合的表示。

0002331 Lien/UWThe intent of this study is to use a novel instrument, the Electromagnetic Vorticity Meter, to directly measure the flow vorticity which, in combination with the Stokes drift associated with the surface waves, gives rise to the "vortex force," identified by theoretical explanations of roll vortices in the mixed layer (Langmuir cells) as the primary cause of these vortices. An additional objective is to determine which component of vorticity, vertical or horizontal, is most critical for Langmuir cell formation and hence distinguish between competing theories. The vorticity measurements will be supplemented with observations of temperature, salinity and turbulence parameters. While theories of Langmuir cells have existed for a long time, direct verification of their central hypotheses with field observations has been lacking because of the difficulty of directly measuring vorticity in the mixed layer. This study holds out the possibility of being able to make such measurements. A better understanding of Langmuir cells will help oceanographers develop a clearer picture of mixing in the upper few meters of the ocean and may lead to improved representations of such mixing in computer models of oceans and climate.