Sensor movement correction for direct turbulence measurements in the marine atmospheric boundary layer

Abstract

Understanding of the turbulent exchange processes between the ocean and the overlying atmosphere is essential for wind shear and turbulence structure of the Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer (MABL). This is highly relevant for the development of offshore wind projects with respect to the expected power output and acceptable structural loads and fatigue of turbines. This paper presents preliminary results from a recent field experiment off the coast of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Turbulent fluxes have been measured from both a discus buoy and the Air Sea Interaction Tower (ASIT). Using the correction algorithm of Edson et al. (1998) the buoy data are corrected and compared with the ASIT measurements. The comparison shows that the corrected fluxes measured from the mooring are in good agreement with measured fluxes from the tower and that the direct covariance flux method is applicable for offshore turbulent flux measurements.