Eddy-Correlation Measurements of Air-Sea Fluxes from a Discus Buoy

Abstract

This paper demonstrates that it is practical to measure turbulent air-sea fluxes from a discus buoy. It proposes a method to correct the measured wind flow, for velocities induced by angular and axial movements of the anemometer, allowing the estimation of the momentum flux from a floating platform. Discus buoys modified for the measurement of momentum flux were deployed during the Surface Wave Dynamics Experiment and the High Resolution Remote Sensing Programme. Successful evaluation of the wind stress was carried out in moderate sea conditions: wind speed and significant wave height, respectively, reaching 12 m s?1 and 4.25 m. Friction velocities calculated using the eddy-correlation method are shown to agree well with those determined from the less direct inertial dissipation method in conditions where the latter method is applicable.