Intensification of nonlinear wind waves on clean water and in the presence of an oil film

The intensification of gentle plane waves at the initial stage of their generation by a steady wind flow in a laboratory setup is investigated. It is found that the wave form is changed by eddies that are formed in the viscous layer of a steady air flow on the leeward slope: the water surface rises under the action of eddies to form a complexly shaped slope. Calculated and measured data for gentle nonlinear waves on clean water are in good compliance with each other. It is shown that, in the presence of an oil film, the region of eddy separation encompasses the wave trough as well, because oil flows down and the film is thickened in passing from the slope to the trough. The water-surface rise by eddies in the trough restricts an increase in the amplitude and steepness of the wave.