Effects of wave breaking on the surface drift

The present paper is an investigation of the motion induced in the ocean by breaking waves. The theory that is presented here addresses two related problems concerning such motion. First, several parameterizations for transfer of momentum during breaking are examined. Second, attempts are made to describe the surface drift and the vertical structure of motion that results from multiple breaking events. It is shown that the various parameterizations of breaking events are robust in the sense that they qualitatively and quantitatively give similar results. However, for description of the vertical structure of the current, the Reynolds stresses must be parameterized. For this purpose, we will here adopt the concept of eddy viscosity. It is demonstrated that wave breaking enhances motion close to the surface and retards motion in the deeper parts of the ocean. Also, the drift induced by multiple events of breaking is significant, and it is only slightly deflected from the direction of wave propagation.