Wave and wind effects on the oxygen transfer across an air-water interface: an experimental study

Abstract

The results of an experimental study on the oxygen transfer across the air-water interface under the combined effect of wind and mechanically generated waves are presented in the paper. The experiments were carried out in a wind tunnel containing a water tank. From the analysis of the experimental data, a relationship for determining the gas transfer coefficient was obtained, and found that the mean square slope of the water waves, the wave celerity, the wind shear velocity, and the Schmidt number are the relevant variables involved in the phenomena. The results of this study can be considered as a contribution to the advancement of the phenomenon of reaeration in closed water bodies subjected to waves and wind, such as reservoirs and lakes.