Skip to main content

Acoustic Measurements of Bubble Densities at 15–50 kHz

  • Chapter
Sea Surface Sound

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASIC,volume 238))

Abstract

Acoustic measurements of near-surface bubbles generated by breaking waves were made off Whidbey Island, Puget Sound, Washington. A limited amount of data was also gathered in the open ocean off the coast of Washington. The intent of these measurements was to delineate the role of near-surface bubbles in surface backscattering, forward loss, and ambient noise at high frequencies. High resolution vertical incidence backscatter was the principal method used for determining the near-surface volume scattering strength profile attributable to bubbles. For one of the data sets low grazing angle forward loss measurements were interspersed with the vertical incidence measurements. It was clear from the vertical incidence measurements that bubbles are acoustically observable at wind speeds as low as 3 m/s and that for wind speeds greater than about 5–6 m/s the surface forward loss can become quite large (>10 dB).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. P. D. Koenigs, J. M. Monti, B.Nutzel and H. Herwig, The Influence of Bubbles on Sea Surface BackscatterMeasurements, NUSCTD 7811 (also FWG-Bericht 1986-9), Naval Underwater Systems Center, New London, 26 October 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  2. D. Middleton, AcousticScattering from Composite Wind-Wave Surfaces II: Backscatter Cross Sections andDoppler Effects at HighFrequencies and Small Angles for Bubble-Free Regimes, NUSC

    Google Scholar 

  3. TD 7 635, NavalUnderwater Systems Center, New London, 22 July 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  4. S. T. McDaniel and A. D. Gorman,Acoustic and Radar Sea Surface Backscatter, J. Geophys. Res. 87, 4127–4136 (1982).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. E. I. Thorsos, SurfaceForward Scattering and Reflection, APL-UW 7–83, Applied Physics Laboratory, University ofWashington, May 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  6. E. I. Thorsos, HighFrequency Surface Forward Scattering Measurements, presented at the 108th meeting ofthe ASA, 8–12 October,1984 (J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Suppl. 1, 76, S55(1984)).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. D. M. Farmer and D. D. Lemon,The Influence of Bubbles on Ambient Noise in the Ocean at High Wind Speeds, J. Phys.Ocean. 14, 1762–1778 (1984).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. J. Wu, Bubble Populationsand Spectra in Near-Surface Ocean: Summary and Review of Field Measurements, J.Geophys. Res. 86, 457–463 (1981).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. H. Medwin, In-Situ AcousticMeasurements of Bubble Populations in Coastal Waters, J. Geophys. Res. 75, 599–611(1970).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. S. O. McConnell, RemoteSensing of the Air-Sea Interface Using Microwave Acoustics, Proceedingsof OCEANS `83, 85-92, 29 August-1 September (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  11. F. MacIntyre, On reconcilingoptical and acoustical bubble spectra in the mixed layer, 75–94, in OceanicWhitecaps (E. C. Monahan and G. MacNiocaill (eds.)), D. Reidel PublishingCo., 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  12. S. A. Thorpe, On the Cloudsof Bubbles Formed by Breaking Wind-Waves in Deep Water, and Their Role in Air-Sea GasTransfer, Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. Lond. A 304155–210 (1982).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. B. R. Kerman, Distributionof Bubbles Near the Ocean Surface, Atmos.-Ocean24, 169–188 (1986).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. C. Devin, Survey of Thermal,Radiation, and Viscous Damping of Pulsating Air Bubbles in Water, J. Acoust. Soc.Am. 31, 1654–1667 (1959).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1988 Kluwer Academic Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

McConnell, S.O. (1988). Acoustic Measurements of Bubble Densities at 15–50 kHz. In: Kerman, B.R. (eds) Sea Surface Sound. NATO ASI Series, vol 238. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3017-9_18

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3017-9_18

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7856-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-3017-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics