Open AccessHigh‐speed imagery captures new sea spray formation mechanism
Author(s) -
Schultz Colin
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/2012eo440021
Subject(s) - sea spray , wind speed , meteorology , drop (telecommunication) , environmental science , spray characteristics , mist , mechanism (biology) , geology , mechanics , atmospheric sciences , aerosol , spray nozzle , aerospace engineering , physics , engineering , mechanical engineering , quantum mechanics , nozzle
When strong winds blow over ocean waves, small droplets of sea spray rise into the air, enhancing the exchange of heat, mass, and energy between the air and the sea. How effective sea spray is at mediating each of these dynamics depends on the rate at which droplets are created and the drop size distribution of the mist. Unfortunately, research has been limited by a dearth of observational evidence that could explain the details of sea spray generation, including understanding the drop size distribution or the effects of different wind speeds. Previous research with high‐speed cameras aiming to capture the moment of drop formation was limited by camera resolutions too low to see all but the largest drops.