VORTICITY, FREE-SURFACE, AND SURFACTANTS

The central intent of this paper is to describe a number of analyses a nd experiments that could eventually serve to elucidate the physics of fluid mechanics phenomena such as the generation of whirls, the quasi -two-dimensionalization of turbulence near the free surface, and the r everse energy cascade at pure and contaminated interfaces. Discussed i n some detail are the vorticity flux; surface-tension effects; basic e quations and boundary conditions; the role of surfactants; topology of interfacial interactions; characteristics of connections, disconnecti ons, and reconnections; a number of canonical hows (single and paired vortices, jets, and vortex rings); and the need for the development of prediction methods for turbulent flows in a region bounded by a free- surface, solid-fluid juncture boundary layer and the nonlinear interac tions of shear flow wake turbulence with a free surface.