The influence of wind and wave shear on the spreading of a plume at sea

Abstract

Models of the diffusion from a continuous source in the sea often make use of the diffusion velocity concept which relates diffusivity linearly to the diffusion time, estimates of the diffusion velocity being obtained by field trials. The weakness of the approach is that it is not clear how data collected during calm conditions can be used to predict the spreading during rough weather. To overcome this, a diffusion model has been developed that isolates the spreading due to wind and waves so that the effects of weather can be quantified. This technique should lead to improved predictions of plume spreading during a range of weather conditions.