Transient evolution of bubbles and dissolved gases at moderate wind speeds

Gas bubbles in the surface ocean provide an important pathway for air-sea gas transfer and have a significant effect on the concentration of insoluble gases. The evolution of bubbles and dissolved gases under temporally evolving meteorological conditions is studied by examining in situ observations and numerical solutions. Observed dissolved gas concentrations were measured at ocean station P (50N 145W) in the winter of 2011. The numerical solutions were obtained using a coupled large eddy simulation -- bubble population -- dissolved gas concentration model forced by realistic surface meteorological conditions including wind, wave, heat and atmospheric pressure for the same period. We will show that bubble effects are important in determining dissolved gas concentrations during this period at wind speeds up to 20 m/s. We will also discuss the respective roles of temperature, atmospheric pressure and bubbles in setting surface ocean saturation and air-sea flux.