Dissipation of Turbulent Energy in the Wind-Generated Wave Layer of the Ocean

The vertical distribution of the turbulent energy dissipation rate in the wind-generated wave layer of the ocean is investigated. The experiments were carried out on the 36th cruise of the R/V Akademik Kurchatov near the surface of the Atlantic Ocean using an ascending turbulimeter probe. The free ascent speed of the probe was 2.2 m/sec. Spectral analysis of the velocity fluctuation recordings showed the presence of a region corresponding to the spectrum for local-isotropic turbulence. The vertical distribution of the turbulent energy dissipation rate calculated from experimental data exhibited a sharp increase in the upper two-meter layer of the ocean. It is shown that it is possible to describe the vertical distribution of the turbulent energy dissipation rate in the wind-generated wave layer of the ocean using the model of A. Yu. Benilov