Zappa Christopher J. author Columbia University. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Banner Michael L. author Schultz Howard author Gemmrich Johannes R. author Morison Russel P. author LeBel Deborah A. author Columbia University. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Dickey Tommy author Columbia University. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory originator text Articles 2012 English Refining radiative-transfer modeling capabilities for light transmission through the sea surface requires a more detailed prescription of the sea surface roughness beyond the probability density function of the sea surface slope field. To meet this need, exciting new measurement methodologies now provide the opportunity to enhance present knowledge of sea surface roughness, especially at the microscale. In this context, two intensive field experiments using R/P Floating Instrument Platform were staged within the Office of Naval Research's Radiance in a Dynamic Ocean (RaDyO) field program in the Santa Barbara Channel and in the central Pacific Ocean south of Hawaii. As part of this program, our team gathered and analyzed a comprehensive suite of sea surface roughness measurements designed to provide optimal coverage of fundamental optical distortion processes associated with the air-sea interface. This contribution describes the ensemble of instrumentation deployed. It provides a detailed documentation of the ambient environmental conditions that prevailed during the RaDyO field experiments. It also highlights exciting new sea surface roughness measurement capabilities that underpin a number of the scientific advances resulting from the RaDyO program. For instance, a new polarimetric imaging camera highlights the complex interplay of wind and surface currents in shaping the roughness of the sea surface that suggests the traditional Cox-Munk framework is not sufficient. In addition, the breaking crest length spectral density derived from visible and infrared imagery is shown to be modulated by the development of the wavefield (wave age) and alignment of wind and surface currents at the intermediate (dominant) scale of wave breaking. Physical oceanography Meteorology 117 C00H19 1 23 http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2011JC007336 http://hdl.handle.net/10022/AC:P:14302 NNC NNC 2012-08-02 11:56:23 -0400 2012-08-02 13:46:36 -0400 8318 eng