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Bubbles spray aerosols: Certitudes and mysteries
Emmanuel Villermaux1,2, Xiaofei Wang3, Luc Deike4,5
1Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, IRPHE UMR 7342, 13384 Marseille, France.
PNAS Nexus
|January 30, 2023
Summary
Ocean spray aerosols, crucial for atmospheric processes, are formed by bubble bursting. This study details the fluid mechanics of bubble bursting and droplet formation, clarifying air-sea interactions.
Area of Science:
- Fluid mechanics
- Atmospheric science
- Oceanography
Background:
- Ocean spray aerosols play a vital role in atmospheric processes, acting as cloud condensation nuclei.
- The composition and origin of these aerosols are significantly influenced by the fluid dynamics of bubble bursting.
- Understanding bubble bursting mechanisms is key to comprehending air-sea interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize current knowledge on bubble bursting at liquid surfaces and its role in droplet fragmentation.
- To detail the mechanisms of droplet formation and their associated yields.
- To analyze the impact of bubble production and environmental conditions on these processes.
Main Methods:
- Review of fluid mechanics principles governing bubble bursting.
- Analysis of droplet formation mechanisms and their yields.
- Examination of environmental factors influencing aerosol generation.
Main Results:
- Identification and description of distinct droplet formation mechanisms from bursting bubbles.
- Quantification of droplet yields for each mechanism.
- Assessment of the sensitivity of these mechanisms to production and environmental conditions.
Conclusions:
- Bubble bursting fluid mechanics are central to ocean spray aerosol generation.
- Specific mechanisms contribute differently to droplet formation and material transport.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the knowns and unknowns in air-sea interactions.
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