Sensible heat flux related to variations in atmospheric turbulence kinetic energy on a sandy beach

Two field experiments were conducted in the surf zone of the Monterey Bay to explore the relationship between surf zone sea spray and sensible heat flux. Nine flux tripod towers with instrumentation designed to measure atmospheric wind speed and direction, temperature and relative humidity, as well as thermistor and pressure sensors in the surf zone, were deployed throughout the two experiments. Data analysis showed that the ocean temperature was warmer than the air temperature and the environment was mildly unstable throughout most of the two experiments. The total data set was broken into 15-minute averages and limited to onshore winds over 3m/s and a stability range of —5< ,ζ, ζ being the non-dimensional height under Monin-Obukhov Similarity Theory. Sensible heat flux was calculated using the eddy covariance method and also using the COARE 3.5 model, validated for the open ocean, and the results were compared. The model under-predicted measured results by over 50%. Sea spray sensible heat was then calculated and added to the model results; the new comparison showed that the model was nearly the same as the measured results with sea spray sensible heat added.http://archive.org/details/sensibleheatflux1094555636Lieutenant Commander, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited