Energy loss by breaking waves

Abstract

Observations of the frequency of wind wave breaking in deep water are combined with laboratory estimates of the rate of energy loss a from single breaking wave to infer the net rate of energy transfer to the mixed layer from breaking waves, as a function of wind speed. Breaking waves with wavelengths much shorter than the dominant waves can contribute energy at a rate that is a significant fraction of the total turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate in the ocean surface mixed layer. -Author