On the Thermal Boundary Layer of the Ocean

Abstract

Measurement of the long-wave infrared radiation from the top 0.1 mm of the evaporating ocean demonstrates the existence of a cool surface layer characterized by departures of as much as 0.6°C from the "surface temperature" found by conventional methods. Being very thin, the layer cools sufficiently rapidly to reestablish itself in less than 12 seconds after disruption by a breaking wave.