Editing Physical oceanography (section)

===Ocean–atmosphere interface===
[[Image:Isabel 2003-09-15 1530Z.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Hurricane Isabel]] east of the Bahamas on 15 September 2003 ]]
At the ocean-atmosphere interface, the ocean and atmosphere exchange fluxes of heat, moisture and momentum.

; Heat
The important [[heat]] terms at the surface are the sensible heat [[flux]], the latent heat flux, the incoming [[solar radiation]] and the balance of long-wave ([[infrared]]) [[radiation]]. In general, the tropical oceans will tend to show a net gain of heat, and the polar oceans a net loss, the result of a net transfer of energy polewards in the oceans.

The oceans' large heat capacity moderates the climate of areas adjacent to the oceans, leading to a [[maritime climate]] at such locations. This can be a result of heat storage in summer and release in winter; or of transport of heat from warmer locations: a particularly notable example of this is [[Western Europe]], which is heated at least in part by the [[gulf stream|north atlantic drift]].

;Momentum
Surface winds tend to be of order meters per second; ocean currents of order centimeters per second. Hence from the point of view of the atmosphere, the ocean can be considered effectively stationary; from the point of view of the ocean, the atmosphere imposes a significant wind [[stress (physics)|stress]] on its surface, and this forces large-scale currents in the ocean.

Through the wind stress, the wind generates [[ocean surface wave]]s; the longer waves have a [[phase velocity]] tending towards the [[wind speed]]. [[Momentum]] of the surface winds is transferred into the energy [[flux]] by the ocean surface waves. The increased [[surface roughness|roughness]] of the ocean surface, by the presence of the waves, changes the wind near the surface.

;Moisture
The ocean can gain [[moisture]] from [[rainfall]], or lose it through [[evaporation]]. Evaporative loss leaves the ocean saltier; the [[Mediterranean]] and [[Persian Gulf]] for example have strong evaporative loss; the resulting plume of dense salty water may be traced through the [[Straits of Gibraltar]] into the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. At one time, it was believed that [[evaporation]]/[[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] was a major driver of ocean currents; it is now known to be only a very minor factor.