A gas tension method for air-water gas exchange studies.

摘要: The most interesting scientific problems tend to occur at interfaces, both physical and disciplinary. Study of gas exchange processes across the air-sea interface requires tools atmospheric scientists, chemical engineers, oceanographers. Gas is least well understood under dynamic conditions wave breaking bubble injection, when fluxes are expected be large. Results from studies such have led controversial results, e.g. high local that difficult reconcile with global budgets. largely unresolved differences await improved instrumentation, new approaches more data. A method based on measurement total dissolved pressure ('gas tension' for succinctness) described. In experiments state gaseous equilibrium a water parcel in closed tank continuously monitored using simple 'gas tension device' (GTD) developed this purpose. Measurements content water, response changes applied gas-phase pressure, allows calculation velocities steady-state supersaturations. Exchange rates argon, nitrogen, helium carbon dioxide determined work single-gas experiments. Effort concentrated generally neglected experimental configuration invasion injection. An intermittent waterfall provides injection type simulated breaking-wave. Photographic examination populations shows many small bubbles sea compared fewer larger fresh water. results show population contributes higher than generated by same mechanism model as tool interpreting measurements incorporates depth-dependent flux velocity further separated into components free-surface velocity. sensitive, robust, versatile technique gas-exchange studies. With modifications GTD will useful field instrument.