Langmuir circulation

The Langmuir circulation - named after Irving Langmuir - is a form of wind-driven circulation of waters.

Resistant wind has the effect that form parallel to the wind direction roll-shaped currents of 5 to 50 meters in width and depth. Individual particles of water describe in these rolls a helical path, which they effectively transported downwind.

Between opposite circulating current rollers, zones where water on the surface perpendicular to the wind direction flows together ( convergence ) or pushed apart is ( divergence ).

In the convergences are organic particles and immobile organisms with positive buoyancy accumulate. These are mainly zooplankton, nekton and Pleuston. Tange, Pleuston and flotsam are gathered here at the sea surface. It formed a clearly visible so-called "wind rows" ( Treibgutstreifen ).

Where present on the surface divergences, so run the rolling currents apart, they are running at the bottom in turn to each other and gather there phytoplankton and organisms through the output ( negative buoyancy ) in the calm waters tend to decrease.