G.L. Geernaert - Böcker

This work introduces a multi-disciplinary approach to extending our understanding of air-sea interaction, where the atmospheric boundary layer, ocean mixed layer dynamics and surface are collectively treated with their physical, chemical and biological components. The theme behind the book is `high resolution,' where the general assumptions behind scaling theories are often violated and new approaches and paradigms must be sought. Much of the research presented here is based on theoretical advances during the past decade, and emphasis is given to field results of the marine boundary layer experiments carried out during the period 1993-1996 west of California and in the seas of northern Europe. Given the nature of the subject, the material presented should be useful for boundary layer modellers, climate dynamicists, geophysicists and engineers specializing in platform design and energy, among others. This book may also serve as an advanced university text for use either in the classroom, or as a reference for the research or operational specialist.

This book is the first to introduce a multi-disciplinary approach to extending our understanding of air-sea interaction, where the atmospheric boundary layer, ocean mixed layer dynamics, and surface are collectively treated with their physical, chemical and biological components. The theme behind the book is 'high resolution', where the general assumptions behind scaling theories are often violated and new approaches and paradigms must be sought. Much of the research presented herein is based on theoretical advances during the past decade, and special emphasis is given to field results of the marine boundary layer experiments carried out during the period 1993-1996 west of California and in the seas of northern Europe. Given the nature of the subject, the material presented will be valuable for boundary layer modellers, climate dynamicists, geophysicists, and engineers specializing in platform design and energy, among others. This book may also serve as an advanced university text for use either in the classroom, or as a reference for the research or operational specialist.

During the Conference on Air-Sea Interaction in January 1986, it was suggested to me by David Larner of Reidel Press that it may be timely for an updated compendium of air-sea interaction theory to be organized, developed, and published. Many new results were emerging at the time, i.e., results from the MARSEN, MAS EX, MILDEX, and TOWARD field projects (among others) were in the process of being reported and/or published. Further, a series of new experiments such as FASINEX and HEXOS were soon to be conducted in which new strides in our knowledge of air-sea fluxes would be made. During the year following the discussions with David Larner, it became apparent that many of the advances in air-sea interaction theory during the 1970s and 1980s were associated with sponsor investments in satellite oceanography and, in particular, remote sensing research. Since ocean surface remote sensing, e.g., scatterometry and SAR, requires intimate knowledge of ocean surface dynamics, advances in remote sensing capabilities required coordinated research in air-sea fluxes, wave state, scattering theory, sensor design, and data exploitation using environmental models. Based on this interplay of disciplines, it was decided that this book be devoted to air­ sea interaction and remote sensing as multi-disciplinary activities.