Traditionally spiral slick structure is interpreted as a manifestation of marine eddy, which length scale is taken equal to the scale of spiral. This approach is based on the assumption that wind has no effect on the kinematics of forming slick bands which, according to our estimation, is incorrect in real sea conditions. This can lead to misinterpretation of remote sensing data in the field of definition of the characteristics of marine eddies, particularly, in radar images. The system of equations for the description of kinematics of a Lagrangian particle (element of surface active substance) in stationary fields of axisymmetric eddy with non-zero radial velocity component and homogeneous wind was obtained. It was shown that the center of the spiral is not collocated with the center of the eddy, and the distance between them can achieve the scale of eddy core. It was shown that the displacement of the spiral center is quasi perpendicular to the wind direction in case of small radial velocity component compared to the tangential one. It was shown analytically that there is a threshold wind velocity which corresponds to the breakdown of the spiral structure. Simulation based on the discrete-time approximation of particle trajectories, as well as radar observation of marine eddies, demonstrates the possibility of appearance of a “focus” and a “saddle” in the characteristic shape of slick bands. The perspectives of correct retrieval of length scales and character velocities of observed sub mesoscale marine eddies are discussed.
Surfactant films on the sea surface can appear due to pollutions, river and collector drains, as well as biological processes. Film slicks can indicate different processes in the upper ocean and in atmosphere. In particular, slick signatures in SAR-imagery of the sea surface at low and moderate wind speeds are often associated with marine currents. Other factors such as wind and physical characteristics of films can significantly influence the dynamics of slick structures. A perspective approach aimed at measuring surface currents is developed. Based on the approach an impact of wind on the kinematics of artificial slick bands is determined. Simulation of slick band propagation from the localized source of surfactant in the field of wind and eddy-shape current is performed. As a result of simulation the shape of surface slick structure, which is close to the observed on SAR image of water surface, is obtained. It is shown that the possibility of spiral bands formation due to presence of marine submesoscale eddies is determined by near-surface wind. Moreover, it is declared that a traditional estimation of scales of marine eddies based on the scales of spiral slick structures is not basically correct.
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