THE WONDERFUL IMPACT OF WAVES
Did you know that the waves that roll in to greet you at the beach began their journeys thousands of miles away from you? And that they have a big impact on us all, no matter where we are on the planet?
For decades scientists have investigated the influence of the world's oceans in trapping greenhouse gasses. A groundbreaking new study conducted by researchers at Heriot-Watt University has found ocean waves play a greater role in this process than previously understood.
The research, published in Scientific Reports, shows that when waves break on the surface, such as in high winds, bubbles are injected about 1 meter deep into the water. These bubbles partially dissolve, releasing carbon dioxide into the water.
The discovery means an increase in the current global estimates of the oceanic sink of carbon dioxide and rates of ocean acidification.
Led by the University of Southampton, the study was published in collaboration with UK-based scientists including Dr. David Woolf at the Heriot-Watt Orkney Campus.
The results of the study, titled 'Asymmetric Transfer of CO2 Across a Broken Sea Surface,” indicate a much larger imbalance of carbon dioxide than previously suggested. The research could help the science community gain a stronger understanding of the influence of the ocean in contributing to global climate control.
Waves also impact the atmosphere, according to new studies.
While scientists have long studied the effect of atmosphere and wind on waves, they are now finding that the movement of waves impacts the atmosphere.
Using “large eddy simulation,” 1st developed in the 1960’s by the National Center for Atmospheric Research, NCAR Sr. Scientist Peter Sullivan & team recently studied a range of waves moving into areas with light winds to gain insights into how wave movements impact global weather and climate patterns.
Contrary to common belief, an estimated 75% of waves are not actually driven by local winds, but are generated by distant storms.
When wind blows over the ocean, it transfers its energy into the water, whipping up swells, creating waves.
Groundswell refers to waves generated by storms far off the coast. Wind swell refers to waves formed by local winds, close to shore. Their combination is what can make surfers very happy in the best of conditions and can bring devastating destruction in the worst case scenarios.
Wind from storms in the middle of the ocean create waves on its surface. These waves then travel thousands of miles, moving away from the storm, headed towards beaches, where they are boosted by local light winds.
For example, wave conditions in most of the Indian, Pacific and South Atlantic oceans are dominantly influenced by the weather in the Southern Ocean, thousands of kilometres away.
Over a billion data points crunched in NCAR’s Yellowstone super-computing system. Check out the beautiful data visualization video, as NCAR software engineer Scott Pearse, demos VAPOR, a software tool he created to aid ocean, atmosphere, and solar researchers.
It shows how waves and atmosphere dance together, in reciprocal movements, showing how small waves impose a drag on air, while fast and big waves provide thrust, pushing the air forward.
This new data will provide valuable insight into climate patterns and weather predictions, helping us to better manage life both at sea an on terra firma.
NACR is managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), a consortium of more than 100 North American colleges and universities is focused on research and training in atmospheric and Earth system sciences. It is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
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- Photo: Indian Ocean Mega Swell Hits Australia. Indian Ocean, Australia. Courtesy of Red Bull.
- Photo: by Phil Gibbs. “The Rinse.” Oceanside, California.
- Photo: Ocean waves ripple up into the atmospheric boundary layer. Courtesy of University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR).
- Photo: by Corey Thompson. “Laguna Swells.” Laguna Beach. Orange County, California.
- Photo: by Brocken Inaglory. “Sea Storm in Pacifica.” Pacifica, California.
- Photo: by Daniel Ramirez. Surfing During the South Swell. Honolulu, Hawaii.
- Photo: by Chris Kuga. “Nice little winter swell at West St.” Laguna Beach, California.
- Photo: “Hurricane Odile Simulation.” Courtesy of NCAR Vislab.
- Photo: by Jamie Grant. “Cotton Candy.” Manhattan Beach, California.
- Photo: by W. Tipton. “Big Beach.” Maui, Hawaii.
- Photo: by W. Tipton. “Big Beach.” Maui, Hawaii.
- Photo: by Nick Maroulis. “Waves Breaking on the Coast, Tahiti, French Polynesia.” Tahiti.
- Photo: by Bryce Bradford. “Swell.” Oceanside, California.
- Photo: by Steve Corey. “Pismo Su.” Pismo Beach, California.