ISSN:
1432-1114
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
Notes:
Abstract A radiotracer test system has been developed for laboratory studies to investigate the bubble transport of natural surfactant materials from seawater to the air-water interface. Using this system, we have analyzed the rates at which saturated and unsaturated 14C-labeled fatty acids (stearic and oleic acids, respectively) and triolein, an unsaturated fatty acid triglyceride, are scavenged from seawater by air bubbles at differing airflow rates and bubbling times. The bubble field used was similar in size distribution to that which exists in natural wave or wake-induced turbulence where significant aeration of seawater occurs. We have found in our studies that the scavenging rate for each material is proportional to the bulk water concentration of the material and that the constant of proportionality itself appears approximately proportional to the square root of the airflow rate. We have also found that oleic acid is scavenged more rapidly than stearic acid, which is in turn scavenged more rapidly than triolein. This finding indicates a strong dependence of the scavenging process on the underlying chemical polarity and/or on the stereochemical properties of the material being scavenged.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00202457
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