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Updated: Sep 10, 2025
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Induction of Microstreaming by Nonspherical Bubble Oscillations in an Acoustic Levitation System
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Sound amplitude of discrete bubbles entrained by a breaking wave
Filippo Nelli1, Danica Tothova1, Andrew Ooi2
1Department of Mechanical and Product Design Engineering, School of Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|August 25, 2025
Summary
Breaking waves generate sound from bubbles, with larger bubbles producing louder acoustic emissions. This finding aids in understanding ocean-atmosphere gas exchange and bubble size distributions.
Area of Science:
- Oceanography
- Acoustics
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Ocean-atmosphere gas exchange is crucial for global climate regulation, influencing carbon sequestration and atmospheric gas balance.
- Understanding bubble dynamics in breaking waves is key to quantifying this gas exchange process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acoustic emissions produced by bubbles from breaking waves.
- To analyze the relationship between bubble diameter and sound intensity for improved bubble size distribution estimation.
Main Methods:
- Controlled laboratory experiments using linear focused breaking waves.
- Synchronized high-speed video and hydrophone recordings of bubble formation and acoustic events.
Main Results:
- A polynomial relationship was identified between bubble size and acoustic emission intensity.
- Larger bubbles were found to generate significantly louder sounds.
Conclusions:
- The study quantifies the acoustic signature of bubbles from breaking waves.
- Findings support the broader understanding of sound generation by underwater bubbles and their role in gas exchange.
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