Using eddy covariance to measure the dependence of air–sea CO<sub>2</sub> exchange rate on friction velocity

Parameterisation of the air–sea gas transfer velocity of CO<sub>2</sub> and other trace gases under open-ocean conditions has been a focus of air–sea interaction research and is required for accurately determining ocean carbon uptake. Ships are the most widely used platform for air–se...

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Main Authors: S. Landwehr, S. D. Miller, M. J. Smith, T. G. Bell, E. S. Saltzman, B. Ward
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2018-03-01
Series:Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Online Access:https://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/18/4297/2018/acp-18-4297-2018.pdf
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author S. Landwehr
S. D. Miller
M. J. Smith
T. G. Bell
E. S. Saltzman
B. Ward
author_facet S. Landwehr
S. D. Miller
M. J. Smith
T. G. Bell
E. S. Saltzman
B. Ward
author_sort S. Landwehr
collection DOAJ
description Parameterisation of the air–sea gas transfer velocity of CO<sub>2</sub> and other trace gases under open-ocean conditions has been a focus of air–sea interaction research and is required for accurately determining ocean carbon uptake. Ships are the most widely used platform for air–sea flux measurements but the quality of the data can be compromised by airflow distortion and sensor cross-sensitivity effects. Recent improvements in the understanding of these effects have led to enhanced corrections to the shipboard eddy covariance (EC) measurements.</br></br>Here, we present a revised analysis of eddy covariance measurements of air–sea CO<sub>2</sub> and momentum fluxes from the Southern Ocean Surface Ocean Aerosol Production (SOAP) study. We show that it is possible to significantly reduce the scatter in the EC data and achieve consistency between measurements taken on station and with the ship underway. The gas transfer velocities from the EC measurements correlate better with the EC friction velocity (<i>u</i><sub>*</sub>) than with mean wind speeds derived from shipboard measurements corrected with an airflow distortion model. For the observed range of wind speeds (<i>u</i><sub>10 N</sub> = 3–23 m s<sup>−1</sup>), the transfer velocities can be parameterised with a linear fit to <i>u</i><sub>*</sub>. The SOAP data are compared to previous gas transfer parameterisations using <i>u</i><sub>10 N</sub> computed from the EC friction velocity with the drag coefficient from the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Response Experiment (COARE) model version 3.5. The SOAP results are consistent with previous gas transfer studies, but at high wind speeds they do not support the sharp increase in gas transfer associated with bubble-mediated transfer predicted by physically based models.
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spelling doaj.art-4ff9c019aa934364ac110448d8f8978e2022-12-21T18:26:51ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics1680-73161680-73242018-03-01184297431510.5194/acp-18-4297-2018Using eddy covariance to measure the dependence of air–sea CO<sub>2</sub> exchange rate on friction velocityS. Landwehr0S. D. Miller1M. J. Smith2T. G. Bell3E. S. Saltzman4B. Ward5School of Physics and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, IrelandAtmospheric Sciences Research Center, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USANational Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Private Bag 14-901 Kilbirnie, Wellington, New ZealandPlymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH, UKEarth System Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, USASchool of Physics and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, IrelandParameterisation of the air–sea gas transfer velocity of CO<sub>2</sub> and other trace gases under open-ocean conditions has been a focus of air–sea interaction research and is required for accurately determining ocean carbon uptake. Ships are the most widely used platform for air–sea flux measurements but the quality of the data can be compromised by airflow distortion and sensor cross-sensitivity effects. Recent improvements in the understanding of these effects have led to enhanced corrections to the shipboard eddy covariance (EC) measurements.</br></br>Here, we present a revised analysis of eddy covariance measurements of air–sea CO<sub>2</sub> and momentum fluxes from the Southern Ocean Surface Ocean Aerosol Production (SOAP) study. We show that it is possible to significantly reduce the scatter in the EC data and achieve consistency between measurements taken on station and with the ship underway. The gas transfer velocities from the EC measurements correlate better with the EC friction velocity (<i>u</i><sub>*</sub>) than with mean wind speeds derived from shipboard measurements corrected with an airflow distortion model. For the observed range of wind speeds (<i>u</i><sub>10 N</sub> = 3–23 m s<sup>−1</sup>), the transfer velocities can be parameterised with a linear fit to <i>u</i><sub>*</sub>. The SOAP data are compared to previous gas transfer parameterisations using <i>u</i><sub>10 N</sub> computed from the EC friction velocity with the drag coefficient from the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Response Experiment (COARE) model version 3.5. The SOAP results are consistent with previous gas transfer studies, but at high wind speeds they do not support the sharp increase in gas transfer associated with bubble-mediated transfer predicted by physically based models.https://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/18/4297/2018/acp-18-4297-2018.pdf
spellingShingle S. Landwehr
S. D. Miller
M. J. Smith
T. G. Bell
E. S. Saltzman
B. Ward
Using eddy covariance to measure the dependence of air–sea CO<sub>2</sub> exchange rate on friction velocity
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
title Using eddy covariance to measure the dependence of air–sea CO<sub>2</sub> exchange rate on friction velocity
title_full Using eddy covariance to measure the dependence of air–sea CO<sub>2</sub> exchange rate on friction velocity
title_fullStr Using eddy covariance to measure the dependence of air–sea CO<sub>2</sub> exchange rate on friction velocity
title_full_unstemmed Using eddy covariance to measure the dependence of air–sea CO<sub>2</sub> exchange rate on friction velocity
title_short Using eddy covariance to measure the dependence of air–sea CO<sub>2</sub> exchange rate on friction velocity
title_sort using eddy covariance to measure the dependence of air sea co sub 2 sub exchange rate on friction velocity
url https://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/18/4297/2018/acp-18-4297-2018.pdf
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