Date of Completion
5-2-2018
Embargo Period
10-27-2018
Keywords
coastal, shallow, air-sea momentum flux, air-sea heat flux, carbon dioxide flux, salt marsh
Major Advisor
Dr. Melanie R. Fewings
Associate Advisor
Dr. Heidi M. Dierssen
Associate Advisor
Dr. James B. Edson
Associate Advisor
Dr. Craig R. Tobias
Associate Advisor
Dr. Jamie M.P. Vaudrey
Field of Study
Oceanography
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Open Access
Open Access
Abstract
The exchange of mass and energy between the atmosphere and the surface below it is not well understood in shallow coastal ecosystems. This thesis addresses those exchanges in an intertidal salt marsh and a shallow embayment. Additionally, the effect of light scattering on albedo is studied with a radiative transfer model for test cases representing a wide range of coastal systems.
Over the marsh, the observed fluxes depend on the timing of both solar noon and tidal inundation. A carbon dioxide flux model incorporating these factors is developed and used to estimate the net vertical seasonal carbon exchange for the marsh system.
In the coastal embayment, the observed momentum and heat fluxes are compared to estimates generated by existing parameterizations. The COARE 3.5 bulk flux algorithm underestimates the observed wind stress, but estimates observed values well after a simple modification to the roughness length parameterization. Unexpectedly, the buoyancy flux estimated by COARE 3.5 is in good agreement with observations.
The radiative transfer model indicates a commonly used open-ocean parameterization of albedo provides a reasonable estimate of net shortwave heat flux in most shallow coastal waters with depths > 1 m. The exceptions are environments with bright sand bottoms or highly turbid water. Guidance is provided to researchers who need to determine albedo in highly reflective or highly turbid conditions but have no direct observations.
This thesis illustrates the potential consequences of using parameterizations developed in non-coastal environments, and provides examples of how to modify the parameterizations for successful use in shallow ecosystems.
Recommended Citation
Fogarty, Michelle, "Air-Sea Momentum, Heat, and Carbon Dioxide Fluxes in Shallow Coastal Ecosystems" (2018). Doctoral Dissertations. 1766.
https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/dissertations/1766