Estimates of turbulence parameters from satellite-tracked drifters

In this paper relative dispersion of satellite-tracked GPS-equipped drifters of the GLAD campaign in the Gulf of Mexico was investigated. Relative dispersion and relative velocity variance were computed pointing out different growth regimes. An exponential growth of the dispersion was detected and confirmed on the initial phase of deployment. The influence of the GPS-position error, in relation with sampling frequency, was evaluated. The presence of inertial oscillations was observed as well as their contribution to dispersion phenomena.