Abstract
Bursting of bubbles at a liquid surface is ubiquitous in a wide range of physical, biological, and geological phenomena, as a key source of aerosol droplets for mass transport across the interface. However, how a structurally complex interface, widely present in nature, mediates the bursting process remains largely unknown. Here, we document the bubble-bursting jet dynamics at an oil-covered aqueous surface, which typifies the sea surface microlayer as well as an oil spill on the ocean. The jet tip radius and velocity are altered with even a thin oil layer, and oily aerosol droplets are produced. We provide evidence that the coupling of oil spreading and cavity collapse dynamics results in a multi-phase jet and the follow-up droplet size change. The oil spreading influences the effective viscous damping, and scaling laws are proposed to quantify the jetting dynamics. Our study not only advances the fundamental understanding of bubble bursting dynamics, but also may shed light on the airborne transmission of organic matters in nature related to aerosol production.
Highlights
Bursting of bubbles at a liquid surface is ubiquitous in a wide range of physical, biological, and geological phenomena, as a key source of aerosol droplets for mass transport across the interface
The bubble bursting dynamics at an oil-covered aqueous surface is observed by two synchronized high-speed cameras from side views above and below the liquid surface (Fig. 1a)
Our findings demonstrate a distinct transport mechanism related to dynamics of the bubble bursting jetting at a compound interface
Summary
Bursting of bubbles at a liquid surface is ubiquitous in a wide range of physical, biological, and geological phenomena, as a key source of aerosol droplets for mass transport across the interface. These surface bubbles eventually burst once the liquid film that forms the bubble cap drains to rupture, generating film droplets by cap disintegration, as well as jet droplets by fragmentation of the upwardly directed liquid jet formed at the end of cavity collapse[2] These small droplets can remain suspended in the air, and play a key role in mediating the mass transport across the interface in a wide range of physical, geological, and biological phenomena, including the flavor release from sparkling drinks[3], sea spray aerosol generation for climate[4,5,6,7,8], and even facilitation of vegetative reproduction over the ocean[9]. Our results provide potential guidance for the prediction of organic-enriched aerosol produced by bubble bursting at a structurally complex interface
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