The Impact of Entrained Air on Wave Dissipation

Abstract. We make a physical-mathematical analysis of the implications that the presence of a large number of tiny bubbles may have on the thin upper layer of the sea. In our oceanographic example the bubbles are due to an intense rain on an otherwise non-stormy surface; if stormy, other processes would take the role. For the direct effect we have analyzed, the implications are estimated non-significant when compared to other processes of the ocean. However, we hint to the possibility that our analysis may be useful in other areas of research or practical application.