Marine Bubble Bursting

Air bubbles bursting at the surface of the ocean (such as white caps on waves) result in the ejection of seawater droplets into the atmosphere. Some of the droplets are suspended in the atmosphere, resulting in the formation of sea salt aerosols. Since oceans cover nearly 70% of earth’s surface, the global burden of sea salt aerosol is the second largest class of aerosol (dust aerosols being the most prevalent). Therefore sea salt aerosols play an important role in global climate system.

Bubble bursting occurs at the atmosphere/ocean interface which can cause numerous unique processes, including the enhanced incorporation of oceanic matter into sea salt aerosols. Our lab is studying how oceanic matter and the air bubble bursting process affect the formation and subsequent composition and mixing state of sea salt aerosols. This ultimately affects the global climate system.

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 Last Updated 7/9/2006