Observations of Reynolds Stresses in wind waves

Summary

Data are presented concerning Reynolds Stresses in wind waves obtained from time series records of horizontal and vertical velocity components of motion beneath the ocean free surface. The stresses, of the order of 25 dyne cm⁻², are generally positive indicating horizontal momentum transfer downward through the dynamic wind wave regime. The magnitude of the observed stress increases with wind speed and sea state. The co-spectra show strong negative peaks which appear at the ambient wave frequencies and indicate that the correlations or eddy stresses of the gross wave motions are responsible for the momentum flux. This is a corroboration of results reported previously by the writer in this journal.