Measurement of gas transfer across wind-forced wavy air–water interfaces using laser-induced fluorescence

Optical distortions have previously prevented non-intrusive measurements of dissolved oxygen concentration profiles by Laser induced fluorescence (LIF) to within 200 μm of the air–water interface. It is shown that by careful experimental design, reliable measurements can be obtained within 28 μm of moving air–water interfaces. Consideration of previously unidentified optical distortions in LIF imagery due to non-linear effects is presented that is critical for robust LIF data processing and experimental design. Phase resolved gas flux measurements have now been accomplished along wind forced microscale waves and indicate that the highest mean gas fluxes are located in the wave troughs. The local mean oxygen fluxes as determined by LIF techniques can be reconciled to within 40% of those obtained by bulk measurement in the water. These data provide a new perspective on wind-wave enhancement of low solubility gas transfer across the air–water interface.