Statistical analysis of turbulent dispersion in the sea surface layer based on satellite-tracked drifter data
This paper deals with the analysis of drifter campaigns realized in two different domains, the Gulf of Mexico and the Mar Grande Basin (Italy). Relative dispersion, diffusivity, and velocity variance were estimated, identifying different growth regimes. An exponential growth of the dispersion process was detected during the initial phase of deployment, and empirical laws for horizontal diffusivity were inferred. Velocity variance and integral time scale of the turbulence were obtained by using different techniques capable of evaluating short-term dispersion phenomena and sub-mesoscale turbulence. A spectral analysis realized in accordance with Taylor’s theory was used to estimate the Lagrangian time scale in domains strongly affected by inertial oscillations.