More room at the top: how small buoys aim at the detailed dynamics of the air-sea interface

• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2410.07813
• Publication Date: 2024-10-10
• Authors: Luigi Cavaleri; Victor Alari; Alvise Benetazzo; Jan‐Victor Björkq...; Øyvind Breivik; Jacob Davis; Gaute Hope; Atle Kleven; Frode Leirvik; Tor Nordam; Jean Rabault; E. J. Rainville; Sander Rikka; Torunn Irene Seldal; J. A. Thomson
• Keywords: Interface (matter); Dynamics

Air-sea exchange processes have been identified as essential for both short- and long-term atmospheric ocean forecasts. The two phases of the fluid layer covering our planet interact across a vast range scales that we need to explore achieve better understanding processes. While satellites provide distributed large-scale view sea surface situation, highly detailed measurements, e.g., from oceanographic towers, are necessarily local. required intermediate solution (i.e., data accurate distributed) can be provided by swarms miniature buoys. As size, weight, cost reduced, these deployed in large numbers investigate specific at present only crudely parameterized models result scarcity good measurements. Perhaps most crucial process is white-capping stormy conditions, where air-sea exchanges enhanced one or orders magnitude. Other applications include wave-current interactions, wave-ice plunging breakers coastal zone. Following dedicated workshop, summarize here main findings possibilities derived different approaches, state art selection We list solutions presented well other similar buoys, with their characteristics application. describe various practical use scientific engineering problems solved. Looking future, also point out technological improvements leading to.