The objective of this proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility of measuring in-situ the parameters necessary for the calculation of heat and momentum flux at the air-sea interface under very calm to moderate sea conditions. The Micro-Buoy proposed here will provide an off the shelf solution for the measurement of the near surface fluxes at a cost low enough to permit multiple synoptic deployment. Multiple buoy deployments will enable a better understanding of the local variability on time and space scales of order of seconds and meters to days and kilometers. The Micro-Buoy is fitted with the eddy correlation heat and mass flux instrumentation. With this package the heat and momentum flux is found at both sides of the air-sea interface. Measurements within a distance less than the significant wave height are difficult due to imperfect coupling to the sea surface of the measurement platform. The Micro-Buoy will allow accurate, high-resolution measurement of temperature and velocity micro-structure to within fractions of a meter of the water surface. Once the Micro-Buoy technology is developed, custom sensor packages will also be possible in addition to a standard set of sensor packages through the implementation of a modular design strategy.
Benefits: The expected market for the Micro-Buoys is the scientific community including various governmental agencies, academic institutions and the offshore oil industry. All of these parties have an interest in low-cost accurate assessment of the ocean environment and the air-sea surface fluxes of heat and momentum.
Keywords: buoy, flux, air-sea, drifting, moored, heat, momentum
