Laboratory measurements of fluxes of heat and momentum across a seawater-air interface

Measurements of the moist enthalpy transfer rates and the momentum transfer across the air-seawater interface in very high wind conditions were made in a laboratory setting. Indirect “Calorimetric” measurements of the total enthalpy (sensible and latent heat) flux across the air-water interface were conducted in the Air-Sea Interaction (ASIST) Facility at the University of Miami. Measurements of the bulk aerodynamic drag coefficient were also made over seawater using control volume approaches. These measurements complemented earlier observations from the same facility over freshwater. Values for enthalpy flux and the bulk enthalpy transfer coefficient (CK), which was measured at 0.2-m height, were adjusted to neutral stratification and 10-m height with 10-m neutral wind speeds from 0.6 to 39 m/s.