Gas exchange rates between air and sea<sup>1</sup>

Abstract

Gas exchange rate studies carried out in the laboratory suggest that the stagnant film model is adequate to relate the transfer coefficients of most gases between the atmosphere and sea to an accuracy of ±15%. Estimates of the average film thickness prevailing for the world ocean based on the distribution of natural radiocarbon, bomb-produced radiocarbon, and radon are in good agreement. Radon data from the BOMEX area and from station PAPA lend support to Kanwisher's suggestion that gas exchange rates should vary in proportion to the square of the wind velocity. These observations permit a number of generalizations regarding the potential of the ocean as a source and sink for trace gases to be made. They also permit the more complicated situation for carbon dioxide to be assessed.DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1974.tb01948.x