OceanAtmosphere

Oceanatmosphere denotes the coupled system formed by the world’s oceans and the atmosphere at their interface. It encompasses the exchange of heat, momentum, moisture, and gases that links surface ocean conditions with atmospheric state and weather patterns. The interaction operates through the surface boundary layer, where sea surface temperature, salinity, and upper-ocean conditions influence air temperature, humidity, wind, and pressure, while atmospheric forcing drives ocean circulation and mixing.

Key processes include heat and moisture exchange, radiation, and gas transfer. Sensible and latent heat fluxes, together with net shortwave and longwave radiation at the sea surface, regulate the energy balance and sea surface temperature. Evaporation transfers vapor to the atmosphere, while precipitation and condensation modulate humidity and cloud formation. Gas exchange controls uptake or release of carbon dioxide and other gases, affecting ocean biogeochemistry and atmospheric composition. Wind stress and thermal gradients drive ocean currents and vertical mixing, which in turn modify atmospheric temperature and wind fields. Aerosols, clouds, and convection feed back onto radiation and precipitation patterns.

Ocean-atmosphere coupling underpins many climate phenomena, including El Niño–Southern Oscillation, the Asian and African monsoons, and tropical cyclone development. It also governs regional climate variability and long-term trends through changes in ocean heat content and gas exchange. Observations from ships, buoys, autonomous floats, and satellites, together with coupled climate models, are used to study and predict air-sea interaction and to project future climate responses.