Study on Sound-Speed Dispersion in A Sandy Sediment at Frequency Ranges of 0.5-3 kHz and 90-170 kHz

In order to study the properties of sound-speed dispersion in a sandy sediment, the sound speed was measured both at high frequency (90-170 kHz) and low frequency (0.5-3 kHz) in laboratory environments. At high frequency, a sampling measurement was conducted with boiled and uncooked sand samples collected from the bottom of a large water tank. The sound speed was directly obtained through transmission measurement using single source and single hydrophone. At low frequency, an in situ measurement was conducted in the water tank, where the sandy sediment had been homogeneously paved at the bottom for a long time. The sound speed was indirectly inverted according to the traveling time of signals received by three buried hydrophones in the sandy sediment and the geometry in experiment. The results show that the mean sound speed is approximate 1710-1713 m/s with a weak positive gradient in the sand sample after being boiled (as a method to eliminate bubbles as much as possible) at high frequency, which agrees well with the predictions of Biot theory, the effective density fluid model (EDFM) and Buckingham''s theory. However, the sound speed in the uncooked sandy sediment obviously decreases (about 80%) both at high frequency and low frequency due to plenty of bubbles in existence. And the sound-speed dispersion performs a weak negative gradient at high frequency. Finally, a water-unsaturated Biot model is presented for trying to explain the decrease of sound speed in the sandy sediment with plenty of bubbles.     

Study on Sound-Speed Dispersion in A Sandy Sediment at Frequency Ranges of 0.5–3 kHz and 90–170 kHz

In order to study the properties of sound-speed dispersion in a sandy sediment, the sound speed was measured both at high frequency(90–170 k Hz) and low frequency(0.5–3 k Hz) in laboratory environments. At high frequency, a sampling measurement was conducted with boiled and uncooked sand samples collected from the bottom of a large water tank. The sound speed was directly obtained through transmission measurement using single source and single hydrophone. At low frequency, an in situ measurement was conducted in the water tank, where the sandy sediment had been homogeneously paved at the bottom for a long time. The sound speed was indirectly inverted according to the traveling time of signals received by three buried hydrophones in the sandy sediment and the geometry in experiment. The results show that the mean sound speed is approximate 1710–1713 m/s with a weak positive gradient in the sand sample after being boiled(as a method to eliminate bubbles as much as possible) at high frequency, which agrees well with the predictions of Biot theory, the effective density fluid model(EDFM) and Buckingham's theory. However, the sound speed in the uncooked sandy sediment obviously decreases(about 80%)both at high frequency and low frequency due to plenty of bubbles in existence. And the sound-speed dispersion performs a weak negative gradient at high frequency. Finally, a water-unsaturated Biot model is presented for trying to explain the decrease of sound speed in the sandy sediment with plenty of bubbles.     

Experimental investigation on the motion of bubbles in the moonpool with a sonar model inside

Bubbles are becoming a threat to the measurement of equipment and human activities in the moonpool, while little is known about the characteristics of bubbles in the moonpool. We aim to investigate the motion patterns and characteristic of bubbles in the moonpool. To support the investigation, experiments were conducted in a water tunnel. Images of bubbles in and under the moonpool were captured by two high-speed cameras. The software Tema and program PolyParticleTracker were used to track the bubbles in the moonpool. We obtain information of bubbles in the moonpool, including movement patterns of bubbles, generation of bubbles, relationship between amount of bubbles and the freesurface, temporal and spatial distribution of bubbles, the size and the velocities of bubbles.     

Tests of models for high-frequency seafloor backscatter

The interaction of high-frequency sound with the seafloor is inherently a stochastic process. Inversion techniques must, therefore employ good stochastic models for bottom acoustic scattering. An assortment of physical models for bottom backscattering strength is tested by comparison with scattering strength data obtained at 40 kHz at three shallow water sites spanning a range of sediment types from fine silt to coarse sand. These acoustic data are accompanied by sediment physical property data obtained by core sample analysis and in situ probes. In addition, stereo photography was used to measure the power spectrum of bottom relief on centimeter scales. These physical data provided the inputs needed to test the backscatter models, which treat scattering from both the rough sediment-water interface and the sediment volume. For the three sites considered here, the perturbation model for scattering from a slightly rough fluid seafloor performs well. Volume scattering is predicted to be weak except at a site having a layer of methane bubbles     

The quality factor of oscillating bubbles as an indication of gas content with particular reference to methane

There has been much interest in detecting the presence of methane gas in the ocean. Although methane exists predominantly as methane hydrate (a buoyant compound) in the deep ocean, recent computer simulations and anecdotal evidence have reported that these hydrates will decompose to produce methane bubbles in shallower waters. This paper describes how the quality factor Q of oscillating bubbles can be used to distinguish methane bubbles (Q=24) from the air bubbles (Q=34) which are ubiquitous near the ocean surface. Values of Q are reported for bubbles in water at atmospheric pressure containing air, carbon dioxide, argon, helium, methane and butane. Possible acoustic techniques for detecting and sizing methane bubbles in the ocean are discussed briefly.     

An experimental study on microscopic characteristics of gas-bearing sediments under different gas reservoir pressures

Gas-bearing sediments are widely distributed in five continents all over the world. Most of the gases exist in the soil skeleton in the form of discrete large bubbles. The existence of gas-phase may increase or decrease the strength of the soil skeleton. So far, bubbles’ structural morphology and evolution characteristics in soil skeleton lack research, and the influence of different gas reservoir pressures on bubbles are still unclear. The micro characteristics of bubbles in the same sediment sample were studied using an industrial CT scanning test system to solve these problems. Using the image processing software, the micro variation characteristics of gas-bearing sediments in gas reservoir pressure change are obtained. The results show that the number and volume of bubbles in different equivalent radius ranges will change regularly under different gas reservoir pressure. With the increase of gas reservoir pressure, the number and volume of tiny bubbles decrease. In contrast, the number and volume of large bubbles increase, and the gas content in different positions increases and occupies a dominant position, driving the reduction of pore water and soil skeleton movement.     

Distinct side-scan sonar, RADARSAT SAR, and acoustic profiler signatures of gas and oil seeps on the Gulf of Mexico slope

We examined bubble streams from four natural seep sites on the upper continental slope of the Gulf of Mexico. Synthetic aperture radar images verified surface oil slicks over sites with oily bubbles but not over those with non-oily bubbles. Non-oily bubbles produced high backscatter on side-scan sonar records, but were difficult to detect with acoustic profilers. Oily bubbles produced clear signatures extending from the seafloor to the near-surface on acoustic profiles and produced acoustic shadows on side-scan sonar records. We hypothesize that the bubbles oily coating causes the different signatures, since all bubbles were resonant at the tested frequencies.     

Movement of large gas bubbles in unsaturated fine‐grained sediments

Abstract

Where undissolved gas occurs within fine‐grained marine sediments it usually takes the form of discrete bubbles that are much larger than the normal void spaces. The possibility of buoyancy‐induced movement of these relatively large bubbles must be included when considering the transport of gas through marine sediments. A theoretical analysis shows that, under static loading conditions, bubbles larger than a critical size should have sufficient buoyancy to move upward through a fine‐grained sediment stratum, whereas bubbles smaller than the critical size should remain fixed in position. The critical radius is directly proportional to sediment shear strength, and bubbles of a realistic size should move upward only in extremely weak sediments. Further theoretical analysis shows that the critical bubble size is reduced under cyclic loading conditions, but movement of typical‐sized bubbles should still be restricted to sediments of low shear strength. A simple laboratory experiment provides support for the conclusions of the theoretical analysis. The results indicate that buoyancy‐induced movement of relatively large gas bubbles in fine‐grained sediments is most likely to occur under storm loading conditions and is unlikely to occur at depths greater than a few meters below the seabed.     

浅层气逸出到海水中的气泡声学探测方法

针对南黄海西部等地区在海洋调查仪器上发现的海水中浅层气逸出气泡产生的声学羽流等气泡记录,首先根据水体中气泡共振发生非线性振动形成的强烈散射现象,计算了我国浅层气分布海区的常见浅层气逸出气泡共振频率范围、不同调查仪器在水深变化时的探测气泡大小,据此分析了不同调查仪器探测浅层气逸出气泡的范围。其次,根据气泡在水中的变化、运动规律,提出了浅层气逸出气泡应当具备的声学特点,排除了南黄海西部地区形成水体中特征反射的其他可能因素,并探讨了云状扰动的可能形成原因。     

Bubble Size Distribution for Waves Propagating over A Submerged Breakwater

Experiments are carried out to study the characteristics of active bubbles entrained by breaking waves as these propagate over an abruptly topographical change or a submerged breakwater. Underwater sounds generated by the entrained air bubbles are detected by a hydrophone connected to a charge amplifier and a data acquisition system. The size distribution of the bubbles is then determined inversely from the received sound frequencies. The sound signals are converted from time domain to time-frequency domain by applying Gabor transform. The number of bubbles with different sizes are counted from the signal peaks in the time-frequency domain. The characteristics of the bubbles are in terms of bubble size spectra, which account for the variation in bubble probability density related to the bubble radius r. The experimental data demonstrate that the bubble probability density function shows a - 2.39 power-law sealing with radius for r 〉 0. 8 mm, and a- 1.11 power law for r 〈0.8 mm.     

Bble Size Distribution for Waves Propagating over A Submerged Breakwater

Experiments are carried out to study the characteristics of active bubbles entrained by breaking waves as these propagate over an abruptly topographical change or a submerged breakwater. Underwater sounds generated by the entrained air bubbles are detected by a hydrophone connected to a charge amplifier and a data acquisition system. The size distribution of the bubbles is then determined inversely from the received sound frequencies. The sound signals are converted from time domain to time-frequency domain by applying Gabor transform. The number of bubbles with different sizes are counted from the signal peaks in the time-frequency domain. The characteristics of the bubbles are in terms of bubble size spectra, which account for the variation in bubble probability density related to the bubble radius r. The experimental data demonstrate that the bubble probability density function shows a-2.39 power-law scaling with radius for r＞0.8 mm, and a-1.11 power law for r＜0.8 mm.     

基于光学技术的水下气泡探测实验研究

热液/冷泉溢出含有硫化氢、甲烷、二氧化碳等化学成分的气泡。实验室模拟海底热液/冷泉资源溢出气泡环境搭建了实验平台,以甲烷气体为实验气体,在黑暗环境下用高速光电探测器对气泡后向散射光进行接收,用拉曼光谱仪实现甲烷气体气泡后向散射光的拉曼检测,并与计算拉曼光谱比较。由结果可知激光拉曼光谱可以探测到气泡后向散射光,并识别气泡中含有的气体成分。通过探测气泡成分,从而判定这些气泡是否来自海底热液/冷泉等甲烷资源溢出。这样的探测方式,探测准确率高,缓解探测深度,同时避免探测设备直接与海底资源直接接触而造成的寿命缩减,为将来的海洋探测与实际应用打下了良好的基础。     

Time series video analysis of bubble release processes at natural hydrocarbon seeps in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

This research quantifies the rate and volume of oil and gas released from two natural seep sites in the Gulf of Mexico: lease blocks GC600 (1200 m depth) and MC118 (850 m depth). Our objectives were to determine variability in release rates and bubble size at five individual vents and to investigate the effects of tidal fluctuations on bubble release. Observations with autonomous video cameras captured the formation of individual bubbles as they were released through partially exposed deposits of gas hydrate. Image processing techniques determined bubble type (oily, gaseous, and mixed: oily and gaseous), size distribution, release rate, and temporal variations (observation intervals ranged from 3 h to 26 d). A semi-automatic bubble counting algorithm was developed to analyze bubble count and release rates from video data. This method is suitable for discrete vents with small bubble streams commonly seen at seeps and is adaptable to multiple in situ set-ups. Two vents at GC600 (Birthday Candles 1 and Birthday Candles 2) were analyzed. They released oily bubbles with an average diameter of 5.0 mm at a rate of 4.7 bubbles s⁻¹, and 1.3 bubbles s⁻¹, respectively. Approximately 1 km away, within the GC600 seep site, two more vents (Mega Plume 1 and Mega Plume 2) were analyzed. These vents released a mixture of oily and gaseous bubbles with an average diameter of 3.9 mm at a rate of 49 bubbles s⁻¹, and 81 bubbles s⁻¹, respectively. The fifth vent at MC118 (Rudyville) released gaseous bubbles with an average diameter of 3.0 mm at a rate of 127 bubbles s⁻¹. Pressure records at Mega Plume and Rudyville showed a diurnal tidal cycle (24.5 h). Rudyville was the only vent that demonstrated any positive correlation (ρ = 0.60) to the 24.5 h diurnal tidal cycle. However, these observations were not conclusive regarding tidal effects on bubble release.     

Experimental formation of massive hydrate deposits from accumulation of CH4 gas bubbles within synthetic and natural sediments

In order for methane to be economically produced from the seafloor, prediction and detection of massive hydrate deposits will be necessary. In many cases, hydrate samples recovered from seafloor sediments appear as veins or nodules, suggesting that there are strong geologic controls on where hydrate is likely to accumulate. Experiments have been conducted examining massive hydrate accumulation from methane gas bubbles within natural and synthetic sediments in a large volume pressure vessel through temperature and pressure data, as well as visual observations. Observations of hydrate growth suggest that accumulation of gas bubbles within void spaces and at sediment interfaces likely results in the formation of massive hydrate deposits. Methane hydrate was first observed as a thin film forming at the gas/water interface of methane bubbles trapped within sediment void spaces. As bubbles accumulated, massive hydrate growth occurred. These experiments suggest that in systems containing free methane gas, bubble pathways and accumulation points likely control the location and habit of massive hydrate deposits.     

Hydroacoustic experiments to establish a method for the determination of methane bubble fluxes at cold seeps

Hydroacoustic methods are particularly suitable for investigations of the occurrence, cyclicity and amount of bubbles released at cold seeps without disturbing them. Experiments with a horizontally looking single beam transducer (40 and 300 kHz) directed towards artificially produced bubbles show that the backscattering strength of the bubbles increases with the gas flux rate independently of the bubble radii distribution. It is demonstrated that an acoustic system can be calibrated in such a way that gas flux rates of bubble-size spectra, as observed at natural seeps, can be directly related to the echo level of a known, acoustically insonified volume. No system-specific parameters have to be known except the beam width.     

Bubbles as sources of ambient noise

It has been shown that the main mechanism which produces the Knudsen region of the ambient noise spectrum is the free oscillations of bubbles. Some experimental results which seem to confirm these facts and to refute various alternative theories involving spray impacts and turbulent forcing of bubble oscillations are described. The results show that the mechanism which excites the bubbles is their formation at the surface; once a bubble has been formed and has radiated the excess energy resulting from its formation, it is more or less silent. It is possible for extremely violent conditions to re-excite bubbles by breaking them into smaller fractions, but it is not clear how important this process would be in the ocean. How the entrainment process imparts energy to the bubble is discussed     

Study on the Bubble Growth and Departure with A Lattice Boltzmann Method

For the growth and departure of bubbles from an orifice, a free energy lattice Boltzmann model is adopted to deal with this complex multiphase flow phenomenon. A virtual layer is set at the boundary of the flow domain to deal with the no-slip boundary condition. Effects of the viscosity, surface tension, gas inertial force and buoyancy on the characteristics of bubbles when they grow and departure from an orifice in quiescent liquid are studied. The releasing period and departure diameter of the bubble are influenced by the residual gas at the orifice, and the interaction between bubbles is taken into consideration. The relations between the releasing period or departure diameter and the gravity acceleration show fair agreements with previous numerical and theoretical results. And the influence of the gas outflow velocity on bubble formation is discussed as well. For the bubbles growing in cross-flow field, effects of the cross-flow speed and the gas outflow velocity on the bubble formation are discussed, which is related to the application in ship resistance reduction. And optimal choice of the ship speed and gas outflow velocity is studied. Cases in this paper also prove that this high density ratio LBM model has its flexibility and effectiveness on multiphase flow simulations.     

船舶含气泡尾迹的光学特性研究

基于充分挖掘卫星遥感应用于海洋监测能力的需求,通过海上试验测量船舶含气泡尾迹海水的物理、光学特征,研究气泡群对不同水体光学特征的影响,例如离水辐亮度、遥感反射率.这些工作可为通过星载光学传感器遥感获取船舶尾迹信息提供理论依据.试验证明在可见光和近红外波段船舶含气泡尾迹相对于背景海水的离水辐亮度、遥感反射率都不同程度地得到了增强,并且在一类水体中含气泡尾迹的光谱后向散射无论是相对增幅还是绝对增幅都要远大于二类水体中的.     

近岸破碎波水体掺气及气泡输运过程研究

为准确探讨破碎波作用下气体如何卷入以及气泡的形成与输运特性, 文章结合粒子图像测速技术(particle image velocimetry, PIV)、高速相机和气泡测量系统, 以及基于Navier-Stokes方程的三维数值模型对气泡形成及其运动过程进行研究。研究结果表明: 文章建立的数值模型能合理地捕捉到破碎波作用下气体的卷入及其输运过程; 波浪的破碎会形成较大的气腔, 其破裂过程又将产生大量的气体微团; 气泡会增加水体的紊动, 造成水体与空气交界面附近形成大量的漩涡以及水体的飞溅; 气泡的破裂会消耗大量的水体能量, 同时发现较大的紊动动能与气泡的生成有关, 且气泡数随平均紊动动能的增加呈线性增长关系。