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

本研究的目的是使用一种新型仪器，电磁涡度仪，直接测量流动涡度，结合与表面波相关的斯托克斯漂移，产生“涡力”，由混合层（朗缪尔单元）中的滚动涡的理论解释确定为这些涡的主要原因。另一个目标是确定垂直或水平涡度的哪个分量对朗缪尔细胞的形成最关键，从而区分相互竞争的理论。涡度测量将辅以温度、盐度和湍流参数的观测。虽然Langmuir细胞理论已经存在了很长时间，但由于难以直接测量混合层中的涡度，因此缺乏用现场观测直接验证其中心假设的方法。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，并可能在海洋和气候的计算机模型中改进这种混合的表现。

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.