scholarly journals Formation and distribution of sea-surface microlayers

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 5719-5755 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Wurl ◽  
E. Wurl ◽  
L. Miller ◽  
K. Johnson ◽  
S. Vagle

Abstract. Results from a study of surfactants in the sea-surface microlayer (SML) in different regions of the ocean (subtropical, temperate, polar) suggest that this interfacial layer between the ocean and atmosphere covers the ocean's surface to a significant extent. Threshold values at which primary production acts as a significant source of natural surfactants have been derived from the enrichment of surfactants in the SML relative to underlying water and local primary production. Similarly, we have also derived a wind speed threshold at which the SML is disrupted. The results suggest that surfactant enrichment in the SML is typically greater in oligotrophic regions of the ocean than in more productive waters. Furthermore, the enrichment of surfactants persisted at wind speeds of up to 10 m s−1 without any observed depletion above 5 m s−1. This suggests that the SML is stable enough to exist even at the global average wind speed of 6.6 m s−1. Global maps of primary production and wind speed are used to estimate the ocean's SML coverage. The maps indicate that wide regions of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans between 30° N and 30° S are more significantly affected by the SML than northern of 30° N and southern of 30° S due to higher productivity (spring/summer blooms) and wind speeds exceeding 12 m s−1 respectively.

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Wurl ◽  
E. Wurl ◽  
L. Miller ◽  
K. Johnson ◽  
S. Vagle

Abstract. Results from a study of surfactants in the sea-surface microlayer (SML) in different regions of the ocean (subtropical, temperate, polar) suggest that this interfacial layer between the ocean and atmosphere covers the ocean's surface to a significant extent. New, experimentally-derived threshold values at which primary production acts as a significant source of natural surfactants to the microlayer are coupled with a wind speed threshold at which the SML is presumed to be disrupted, and the results suggest that surfactant enrichment in the SML is greater in oligotrophic regions of the ocean than in more productive waters. Furthermore, surfactant enrichments persisted at wind speeds of up to 10 m s−1, without any observed depletion above 5 m s−1. This suggests that the SML is stable enough to exist even at the global average wind speed of 6.6 m s−1. Using our observations of the surfactant enrichments at various trophic levels and wind states, global maps of primary production and wind speed allow us to extrapolate the ocean's SML coverage . The maps indicate that wide regions of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans between 30° N and 30° S may be more significantly covered with SML than north of 30° N and south of 30° S, where higher productivity (spring/summer blooms) and wind speeds exceeding 12 m s−1 may prevent extensive SML formation.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cui-Ci Sun ◽  
Martin Sperling ◽  
Anja Engel

Abstract. Biogenic gels particles, such as transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) and Coomassie stainable particles (CSP), are important components in the sea-surface microlayer (SML). The accumulation of gel particles in the SML and their potential implications for gas exchange and emission of primary organic aerosols have generated considerable research interest in recent years. Changes in the particle-size distribution (PSD) can provide important information for the understanding of physical and chemical processes involving gel particles, such as aggregation, degradation or loss. So far, little is known regarding the influence of wind speed on the size distribution of marine gel particles in the surface microlayer. Here, we present results on the effect of different wind speeds on the PSD of TEP and CSP during a wind wave channel experiment in the Aeolotron. Total area of TEP and CSP were exponentially related to wind speed in the SML. At wind speeds  8 m s−1 also significantly altered the PSD slope of TEP in the 2–16 μm size range toward smaller size. Changes in spectral slopes at wind speeds > 8 m s−1 were more pronounced for TEP than for CSP indicating a high aggregation potential for TEP in the SML, potentially enhancing the export of TEP by aggregates settling out of the SML. Our experiment provided evidence for the control of wind speed on the accumulation of biogenic gel particles and their PSD changes, providing a useful insight into particle dynamics and biophysical processes at the interface between air and sea.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 3577-3589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cui-Ci Sun ◽  
Martin Sperling ◽  
Anja Engel

Abstract. Gel particles, such as transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) and Coomassie stainable particles (CSP), are important organic components in the sea surface microlayer (SML). Here, we present results on the effect of different wind speeds on the accumulation and size distribution of TEP and CSP during a wind wave channel experiment in the Aeolotron. Total areas of TEP (TEPSML) and CSP (CSPSML) in the surface microlayer were exponentially related to wind speed. At wind speeds < 6 m s−1, accumulation of TEPSML and CSPSML occurred, decreasing at wind speeds of > 8 m s−1. Wind speeds > 8 m s−1 also significantly altered the size distribution of TEPSML in the 2–16 µm size range towards smaller sizes. The response of the CSPSML size distribution to wind speed varied through time depending on the biogenic source of gels. Wind speeds > 8 m s−1 decreased the slope of CSPSML size distribution significantly in the absence of autotrophic growth. For the slopes of TEP and CSP size distribution in the bulk water, no significant difference was observed between high and low wind speeds. Changes in spectral slopes between high and low wind speed were higher for TEPSML than for CSPSML, indicating that the impact of wind speed on size distribution of gel particles in the SML may be more pronounced for TEP than for CSP, and that CSPSML are less prone to aggregation during the low wind speeds. Addition of an E. huxleyi culture resulted in a higher contribution of submicron gels (0.4–1 µm) in the SML at higher wind speed (> 6 m s−1), indicating that phytoplankton growth may potentially support the emission of submicron gels with sea spray aerosol.


Author(s):  
S. G. Ignatiev ◽  
S. V. Kiseleva

Optimization of the autonomous wind-diesel plants composition and of their power for guaranteed energy supply, despite the long history of research, the diversity of approaches and methods, is an urgent problem. In this paper, a detailed analysis of the wind energy characteristics is proposed to shape an autonomous power system for a guaranteed power supply with predominance wind energy. The analysis was carried out on the basis of wind speed measurements in the south of the European part of Russia during 8 months at different heights with a discreteness of 10 minutes. As a result, we have obtained a sequence of average daily wind speeds and the sequences constructed by arbitrary variations in the distribution of average daily wind speeds in this interval. These sequences have been used to calculate energy balances in systems (wind turbines + diesel generator + consumer with constant and limited daily energy demand) and (wind turbines + diesel generator + consumer with constant and limited daily energy demand + energy storage). In order to maximize the use of wind energy, the wind turbine integrally for the period in question is assumed to produce the required amount of energy. For the generality of consideration, we have introduced the relative values of the required energy, relative energy produced by the wind turbine and the diesel generator and relative storage capacity by normalizing them to the swept area of the wind wheel. The paper shows the effect of the average wind speed over the period on the energy characteristics of the system (wind turbine + diesel generator + consumer). It was found that the wind turbine energy produced, wind turbine energy used by the consumer, fuel consumption, and fuel economy depend (close to cubic dependence) upon the specified average wind speed. It was found that, for the same system with a limited amount of required energy and high average wind speed over the period, the wind turbines with lower generator power and smaller wind wheel radius use wind energy more efficiently than the wind turbines with higher generator power and larger wind wheel radius at less average wind speed. For the system (wind turbine + diesel generator + energy storage + consumer) with increasing average speed for a given amount of energy required, which in general is covered by the energy production of wind turbines for the period, the maximum size capacity of the storage device decreases. With decreasing the energy storage capacity, the influence of the random nature of the change in wind speed decreases, and at some values of the relative capacity, it can be neglected.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 2796
Author(s):  
Andrzej Osuch ◽  
Ewa Osuch ◽  
Stanisław Podsiadłowski ◽  
Piotr Rybacki

In the introduction to this paper, the characteristics of Góreckie lake and the construction and operation of the wind-driven pulverizing aerator are presented. The purpose of this manuscript is to determine the efficiency of the pulverizing aerator unit in the windy conditions of Góreckie Lake. The efficiency of the pulverization aerator depends on the wind conditions at the lake. It was necessary to conduct thorough research to determine the efficiency of water flow through the pulverization segment (water pump). It was necessary to determine the rotational speed of the paddle wheel, which depended on the average wind speed. Throughout the research period, measurements of hourly average wind speed were carried out. It was possible to determine the efficiency of the machine by developing a dedicated mathematical model. The latest method was used in the research, consisting of determining the theoretical volumetric flow rates of water in the pulverizing aerator unit, based on average hourly wind speeds. Pulverization efficiency under the conditions of Góreckie Lake was determined based on 6600 average wind speeds for spring, summer and autumn, 2018. Based on the model, the theoretical efficiency of the machine was calculated, which, under the conditions of Góreckie Lake, amounted to 75,000 m3 per year.


F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 1728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew H Baird ◽  
Sally A. Keith ◽  
Erika Woolsey ◽  
Ryuta Yoshida ◽  
Tohru Naruse

Coral bleaching can be induced by many different stressors, however, the most common cause of mass bleaching in the field is higher than average sea surface temperatures (SST). Here, we describe an unusual bleaching event that followed very calm sea conditions combined with higher than average SST. Patterns of mortality differed from typical bleaching in four ways: 1) mortality was very rapid; 2) a different suite of species were most affected; 3) tissue mortality in Acropora spp. was often restricted to the center of the colony; 4) the event occurred early in summer. The two weeks prior to the event included 8 days where the average wind speed was less than 3 ms-1. In addition, SSTs in the weeks preceding and during the event were 1.0-1.5°C higher than the mean for the last 30 years. We hypothesize that this unusual bleaching event was caused by anoxia resulting from a lack of water movement induced by low wind speeds combined with high SST.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler C. McCandless ◽  
Sue Ellen Haupt

Abstract. Wind power is a variable generation resource and therefore requires accurate forecasts to enable integration into the electric grid. Generally, the wind speed is forecast for a wind plant and the forecasted wind speed is converted to power to provide an estimate of the expected generating capacity of the plant. The average wind speed forecast for the plant is a function of the underlying meteorological phenomena being predicted; however, the wind speed for each turbine at the farm is also a function of the local terrain and the array orientation. Conversion algorithms that assume an average wind speed for the plant, i.e., the super-turbine power conversion, assume that the effects of the local terrain and array orientation are insignificant in producing variability in the wind speeds across the turbines at the farm. Here, we quantify the differences in converting wind speed to power at the turbine level compared with a super-turbine power conversion for a hypothetical wind farm of 100 2 MW turbines as well as from empirical data. The simulations with simulated turbines show a maximum difference of approximately 3 % at 11 m s−1 with a 1 m s−1 standard deviation of wind speeds and 8 % at 11 m s−1 with a 2 m s−1 standard deviation of wind speeds as a consequence of Jensen's inequality. The empirical analysis shows similar results with mean differences between converted wind speed to power and measured power of approximately 68 kW per 2 MW turbine. However, using a random forest machine learning method to convert to power reduces the error in the wind speed to power conversion when given the predictors that quantify the differences due to Jensen's inequality. These significant differences can lead to wind power forecasters overestimating the wind generation when utilizing a super-turbine power conversion for high wind speeds, and indicate that power conversion is more accurately done at the turbine level if no other compensatory mechanism is used to account for Jensen's inequality.


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 989-1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anja Engel ◽  
Luisa Galgani

Abstract. The sea-surface microlayer (SML) is at the uppermost surface of the ocean, linking the hydrosphere with the atmosphere. The presence and enrichment of organic compounds in the SML have been suggested to influence air–sea gas exchange processes as well as the emission of primary organic aerosols. Here, we report on organic matter components collected from an approximately 50 µm thick SML and from the underlying water (ULW),  ∼  20 cm below the SML, in December 2012 during the SOPRAN METEOR 91 cruise to the highly productive, coastal upwelling regime off the coast of Peru. Samples were collected at 37 stations including coastal upwelling sites and off-shore stations with less organic matter and were analyzed for total and dissolved high molecular weight (> 1 kDa) combined carbohydrates (TCCHO, DCCHO), free amino acids (FAA), total and dissolved hydrolyzable amino acids (THAA, DHAA), transparent exopolymer particles (TEP), Coomassie stainable particles (CSPs), total and dissolved organic carbon (TOC, DOC), total and dissolved nitrogen (TN, TDN), as well as bacterial and phytoplankton abundance. Our results showed a close coupling between organic matter concentrations in the water column and in the SML for almost all components except for FAA and DHAA that showed highest enrichment in the SML on average. Accumulation of gel particles (i.e., TEP and CSP) in the SML differed spatially. While CSP abundance in the SML was not related to wind speed, TEP abundance decreased with wind speed, leading to a depletion of TEP in the SML at about 5 m s−1. Our study provides insight to the physical and biological control of organic matter enrichment in the SML, and discusses the potential role of organic matter in the SML for air–sea exchange processes.


Author(s):  
Yujie Lin ◽  
Yumeng Jin ◽  
Hong Jin

As residential environment science advances, the environmental quality of outdoor microclimates has aroused increasing attention of scholars majoring in urban climate and built environments. Taking the microclimate of a traditional residential area in a severe cold city as the study object, this study explored the influence of spatial geometry factors on the microclimate of streets and courtyards by field measurements, then compared the differences in microclimate of distinct public spaces. The results are as follows. (1) The temperature of a NE-SW (Northeast-Southwest) oriented street was higher than that of a NW-SE (Northwest-Southeast) oriented street in both summer and winter, with an average temperature difference of 0.7–1.4 °C. The wind speeds in the latter street were slower, and the difference in average wind speed was 0.2 m/s. (2) In the street with a higher green coverage ratio, the temperature was much lower, a difference that was more obvious in summer. The difference in mean temperature was up to 1.2 °C. The difference in wind speed between the two streets was not obvious in winter, whereas the wind speed in summer was significantly lower for the street with a higher green coverage ratio, and the difference in average wind speed was 0.7 m/s. (3) The courtyards with higher SVF (sky view factor) had higher wind speeds in winter and summer, and the courtyards with larger SVF values had higher temperatures in summer, with an average temperature difference of 0.4 °C. (4) When the spaces had the same SVF values and green coverage ratios, the temperature of the street and courtyard were very similar, in both winter and summer. The wind speed of the street was significantly higher than the courtyard in summer, and the wind speed difference was 0.4 m/s.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. F. Walker ◽  
M. J. Harvey ◽  
M. J. Smith ◽  
T. G. Bell ◽  
E. S. Saltzman ◽  
...  

Abstract. The flux of dimethylsulfide (DMS) to the atmosphere is generally inferred using water sampled at or below 2 m depth, thereby excluding any concentration anomalies at the air–sea interface. Two independent techniques were used to assess the potential for near-surface DMS enrichment to influence DMS emissions and also identify the factors influencing enrichment. DMS measurements in productive frontal waters over the Chatham Rise, east of New Zealand, did not identify any significant DMS gradients between 0.01 and 6 m in sub-surface seawater, whereas DMS enrichment in the sea-surface microlayer was variable, with a mean enrichment factor (EF; the concentration ratio between DMS in the SSM and in sub-surface water) of 1.7. Physical and biological factors influenced sea-surface microlayer DMS concentration, with high enrichment (EF > 1.3) only recorded in a dinoflagellate-dominated bloom, and associated with low to medium wind speeds and near-surface temperature gradients. On occasion, high DMS enrichment preceded periods when the air–sea DMS flux, measured by eddy covariance, exceeded the flux calculated using COARE parameterised gas transfer velocities and measured sub-surface seawater DMS concentrations. The results of these two independent approaches suggest that air–sea emissions may be influenced by near-surface DMS production under certain conditions, and highlights the need for further study to constrain the magnitude and mechanisms of DMS production in the sea surface microlayer.


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