How winds and ocean currents influence the drift of floating objects

TL;DR

This study explains why diverse floating objects in water drift at about 3% of wind speed, based on their physical properties and validated through theoretical analysis and experiments.

Contribution

It revisits and clarifies the physical mechanisms behind the consistent drift ratio of floating objects, integrating theory and experiments.

Findings

Most floating objects drift at approximately 3% of wind velocity.

The drift ratio depends on the square root of the air-to-water density ratio.

Experimental results support the theoretical predictions.

Abstract

Arctic icebergs, unconstrained sea ice floes, oil slicks, mangrove drifters, lost cargo containers, and other flotsam are known to move at 2-4% of the prevailing wind velocity relative to the water, despite vast differences in the material properties, shapes, and sizes of objects. Here, we revisit the roles of density, aspect ratio, and skin and form drag in determining how an object is driven by winds and water currents. Idealized theoretical considerations show that although substantial differences exist for end members of the parameter space (either very thin or thick and very light or dense objects), most realistic cases of floating objects drift at $\approx$3% of the free-stream wind velocity (measured outside an object's surface boundary layer). This relationship, known as a long-standing rule of thumb for the drift of various types of floating objects, arises from the square root of the ratio of the density of air to that of water. We support our theoretical findings with flume experiments using floating objects with a range of densities and shapes.