Characteristics of Air-Sea Interaction in Surface and Wave Layers during CBLAST-Low

Whether Monin-Obukhov (MO) similarity theory is applicable over oceanic waves has been investigated in the literature, for example, the RASEX (Risoe Air Sea Experiment) field experiment. Recent studies indicate that wave layers could be much deeper than previously thought when swell exists. Conceptually the wave layer is similar to the roughness sublayer over land, where MO similarity theory does not work. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate air-sea interactions in the surface and wave layers separately since the spatial heterogeneity of the wave layer could lead to much scattered relationships between wave status and air-sea energy transfer. We will show some results on the characteristics of the air-sea interaction in the surface and wave layers from the CBLAST-Low (Coupled Boundary Layers Air-Sea Transfer under low wind) pilot experiment conducted in 2001 and the main field campaign conducted in 2003.