Ocean-atmosphere interaction and surface temperature modulation by gravity-capillary waves

There is a difference between the temperature at the ocean-air interface and that of the interior layers, the surface is generally cooler than the subsurface water. The major temperature variation concentrated in the thin skin layer of about 10
^-1
cm thickness. Development of subsurface vorticity induced by steep capillary waves increases the heat conductivity and correspondingly decreases the surface cooling