Waves and Mixing in the Coastal Zone

As part of our project entitled Wind, Waves, and Mixing in the Coastal Region (AO3-379) some measurements of waves and current profiles were performed in our study site. In the Pacific coast of Baja California, a wave and current sensor, a marine radar and a meteorological station have been in operation since mid 1998. Additionaly, a current meter profiler (adp) was installed for some days in early 1999. During the adp deployment synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images were acquired by RADARSAT-1 and ERS-2. We intent to report on the study of mixing processes as observed by SAR images and being under the influence of waves and currents. At least for the case of ERS-2 SAR image acquisition, in spite of the presence of waves, relatively low wind conditions and absence of currents indicates no susceptibility for even moderate mixing. The wave field is unable to remove the dark features of the type of streaks observed in the coastal region through SAR imagery. Besides a study on dispersion and coastal circulation [1], and some analysis on the homogeneity of the wave field [2], background measurements over the area are not common.