The Near-Surface Layer of the Ocean

The rationale for publishing a second edition of this monograph is that this area of research continues to show remarkable advancement. The new generation of synthetic aperture radar satellites provided unprecedented spatial resolution of the sea surface features. In addition, satellites to measure sea surface salinity have been launched. Computational fluid dynamic models open new opportunities in understanding the processes in the near-surface layer of the ocean and their visibility from space. Passive acoustic methods for monitoring short surface waves have significantly progressed. Estimation of the errors in satellite measurements of long-term global sea surface temperature trends due to processes in the near-surface layer of the ocean has become important for climate research. Due to growing applications of the results, it is anticipated that more students are going to be trained in this area of research. Therefore this second edition of the monograph is closer to a textbook format.

Autorentext

Alexander Soloviev is a Professor at the Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center, Dania Beach, FL. He is also associated with the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies. Soloviev participated in several major oceanographic and air-sea interaction experiments (POLYMODE, JASIN, FGGE, TOGA/COARE, GASEX) and is the author and co-author of more than 70 research articles published in peer-reviewed journals. He has been the Principal Investigator on a number of research projects funded by the U.S. federal government and private industry.

Roger Lukas is Professor Emeritus of Oceanography at the University of Hawaii, where he taught courses in large- and small-scale air-sea interaction. His research has included studies of Pacific equatorial currents and waves, their relationships to low-latitude boundary currents, the Asian-Australian monsoons, climate variations, the hydrological cycle and ocean salinity, small-scale air-sea interactions, and abyssal circulation. Lukas was co-leader of the international TOGA/COARE air-sea interaction experiment; helped to establish and maintain the long-term Hawaii Ocean Time-series; and helped motivate and construct the ALOHA Cabled Observatory. Lukas participated in numerous oceanographic cruises and has authored or co-authored more than 100 scientific articles, book chapters and edited volumes.

Inhalt

Introduction.- Sea Surface Microlayer.- Near-Surface Turbulence.- Fine Structure and Microstructure.- Spatially Varying and Coherent Structures.- High Wind Speed Regime.- Applications.