Particle diffusion on a three-dimensional random sea

The diffusion of particles on a random sea surface, due to the random fluct uations of the Stokes drift velocity, is examined. Experimental results are presented for the diffusion of particle pairs on the surface of a three-di mensional random sea with a Pierson-Moskowitz surface spectrum and a cos(2) spreading function. The results show good agreement with theoretical predi ctions, particularly at low separations where other affects are negligible, Diffusion of surface particles in different sea states is also discussed.