Estimating the Refractive Index Structure Parameter () over the Ocean Using Bulk Methods

Infrared scintillation measurements were obtained along a 7-km path over San Diego Bay concurrently with meteorological measurements obtained from a buoy at the midpoint of the path. Bulk estimates of the refractive index structure parameter were computed from the buoy data and compared with scintillation-derived values. The bulk estimates agreed well with the scintillation measurements in unstable conditions. In stable conditions the bulk estimates became increasingly higher than the scintillation values as the air–sea temperature difference increased. This disagreement may be due to enhanced wave-induced mixing of the lower atmosphere that decreases the vertical temperature and humidity gradients in stable conditions from the assumed Monin–Obukhov similarity (MOS) theory forms, resulting in bulk values that are too high. The bulk estimates decrease rapidly when the absolute air–sea temperature difference approaches small positive values. These predicted decreases in were not observed in either the path-averaged scintillation measurements or in single-point turbulence measurements, indicating that bulk models for estimating scalar structure parameters based on mean air–sea scalar differences are not valid when the mean air–sea difference approaches zero. The authors believe that the most promising means toward improving the bulk model is to obtain a better understanding of the MOS functions over the ocean for a wide stability range, and particularly of the role of ocean waves in modifying near-surface vertical gradients and turbulence characteristics.