OBJECTIVE TWO - TO DETERMINE THE INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF THE OCEAN AND 

 ATMOSPHERE 



The mutual effects of atmosphere and ocean are so interrelated and 

 complex that study of the oceanic environment cannot be conducted without 

 simultaneous consideration of the atmospheric environment. Conversely,, 

 the study of marine meteorology cannot neglect oceanographic factors . 

 Sea swell and storm surge s, all products of the surface winds,, con- 

 tinually modify the air-sea boundary. Although the exchange of matter 

 and energy occurs at the air-sea interface, to understand fully the 

 impact of these exchanges, studies must extend to some depth in both ocean 

 and atmosphere o Turbulent mixing and convective processes distribute 

 heat energy within a thick layer at the ocean's surface. The ocean, 

 thereby, becomes a tremendous storehouse of energy. This layer at the 

 ocean's surface is of prime concern in this research. It shows annual, 

 seasonal and diurnal changes in thickness, heat content, and other 

 characteristics. Similarly, the lower atmosphere over the ocean is 

 laden with moisture and salt nuclei received from the oceans and its 

 stability is determined in a large measure by the temperature of the 

 water body over which it has traveled, 



DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 



. Office of Naval Research FY-62 $1,291,000 



FY-63 $1,365,000 

 Measurements of surface roughness, surface water temperatures, lapse 

 rate in the air, incoming and outgoing radiation, wind velocities and 

 turbulence in the water and air are providing new insights into the 

 interrelationship of the ocean and atmosphere. These investigations 

 are being carried out intensively in the Atlantic by Woods Hole 

 Oceanographic Institution and New York University, and by Texas 

 Agricultural & Mechanical College in the Gulf of Mexico, 



Investigators at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are critically 

 examining both sides of the ocean-atmosphere interface and the exchange 

 of energy, water vapor and chemicals. For example, they will thoroughly 

 study the effect of bubbles on transmission of sound in the water and 

 the introduction of salt nuclei into the air through bursting of the 

 bubbles, a phenomenon which appears to be an important factor in 

 producing rainfall, Acquisition of a four engine aircraft, especially 

 modified for meteorological measurements, will greatly extend the 

 geographical coverage of this program during FY-63, 



During the International Geophysical Year, the Navy initiated research 

 to investigate the abundance of carbon dioxide in the oceans and the 

 atmosphere. During FY-63 this work will continue at a modest level at 

 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 

 University of Stockholm, and Texas Agricultural & Mechanical College. 

 Research is now concentrating in areas of high latitude in order to 

 obtain a more complete global picture of the distribution of C0 2 in 



-10- 



