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Title

Semi-empirical dissipation source functions for ocean waves: part I: definition, calibration and validation

Author(s)

Ardhuin, Fabrice;  Rogers, Erick;  Babanin, Alexander V.;  Filipot, Jean-Francois;  Magne, Rudy;  Roland, Aaron;  van der Westhuysen, Andre;  Queffeulou, Pierre;  Lefevre, Jean-Michel;  Aouf, Lofti;  Collard, Fabrice

Abstract

New parameterizations for the spectral dissipation of wind-generated waves are proposed. The rates of dissipation have no predetermined spectral shapes and are functions of the wave spectrum and wind speed and direction, in a way consistent with observations of wave breaking and swell dissipation properties. Namely, the swell dissipation is nonlinear and proportional to the swell steepness, and dissipation due to wave breaking is nonzero only when a nondimensional spectrum exceeds the threshold at which waves are observed to start breaking. An additional source of short-wave dissipation is introduced to represent the dissipation of short waves due to longer breaking waves. A reduction of the wind-wave generation of short waves is meant to account for the momentum flux absorbed by longer waves. These parameterizations are combined and calibrated with the discrete interaction approximation for the nonlinear interactions. Parameters are adjusted to reproduce observed shapes of directional wave spectra, and the variability of spectral moments with wind speed and wave height. The wave energy balance is verified in a wide range of conditions and scales, from the global ocean to coastal settings. Wave height, peak and mean periods, and spectral data are validated using in situ and remote sensing data. Some systematic defects are still present, but, overall, the parameterizations probably yield the most accurate estimates of wave parameters to date. Perspectives for further improvement are also given.

Publication type

Journal article

Research centre

Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences

Source

Journal of Physical Oceanography, Vol. 40, no. 9 (Sep 2010), pp. 1917-1941

Publication year

2010

FOR Code(s)

0405 Oceanography

Keyword(s)

Oceanic waves;  Parameterisation;  Wind

Publisher

American Meteorological Society

ISSN

0022-3670

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/2010JPO4324.1

Copyright

Copyright © 2010 American Meteorological Society. The published version of the paper is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.

Full text

Peer reviewed