AIR-SEA INTERACTIONS: RESEARCH PROGRAM 

 AND FACILITIES AT IMST 



M. Coantic and A. Favre 



IMST 

 Marseille J France 



ABSTRACT 



This research concerns the small-scale physical pro- 

 cesses responsible for nnass, momentum and energy- 

 exchanges between the atmospheric surface layer and 

 the oceans. 



Their theoretical study has been undertaken. It outlines 

 the importance of turbulence and the influence of recip- 

 rocal interactions between the various transfer pro- 

 cesses. It has led to the design of an experiment where 

 the natural phenomena shall be partially sinnulated, in a 

 large laboratory facility. 



This one combines a micrometeorological wind tunnel 

 with a 40 meters long wave tank, under controlled tem- 

 perature and humidity conditions. It has been extensively 

 tested with a one-fifth scale model. It is presently under 

 construction, and will be operative by 1971. 



Instrumental studies have also been undertaken, and 

 results obtained in the measurement of turbulence in 

 water flows . 



I. INTRODUCTION 



The knowledge of energy exchange processes between atnnos- 

 phere and oceans appears of major interest for oceanography as well 

 as for meteorology. These two media have indeed to be considered 

 as elements of a single system, for the dynamical and thermodynam- 

 ical evolution of each of them largely depends on interactions through 

 their common boundary. 



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