What is a bubble ring in the ocean?

A bubble ring, or toroidal bubble, is an underwater vortex ring where an air bubble occupies the core of the vortex, forming a ring shape. The ring of air as well as the nearby water spins poloidally as it travels through the water, much like a flexible bracelet might spin when it is rolled on to a person’s arm.

How do bubble rings work?

Bubble rings are a kind of vortex, a mass of spinning fluid that occurs when a current catches its tail and ends up flowing around in a circle. This kind of vortex in particular is driven by pressure. When you dive deep in the pool, you can often feel pressure with your ears—that’s the water above weighing down on you.

What makes bubbles underwater?

If the atmospheric pressure happens to be falling as the water warms, the equilibrium between gas molecules leaving and joining the air/water interface becomes unbalanced and tips in favor of them leaving the water, which causes even more gas to come out of solution. Hence bubbles along the insides of your water glass.

Do bubble rings hurt jellyfish?

‘Those bubble rings are just air in a vortex current, so the jellyfish was stuck in that stream twisting and spinning so fast. ‘ Thankfully, the bubble ring didn’t harm the jellyfish, and was able to swim away – albeit possibly a little disorientated.

When were bubble rings popular?

The infamous bubble ring first made an appearance in the late 90s to early 2000s. Although there isn’t just one designer to credit for this trendy comeback piece, the actual rings’ inspiration came from young kids wearing play jewelry.

Why do air bubbles blown underwater expands as they rise to the surface?

Bubble rings survive all the way to the surface because of their buoyancy which makes them float and keeps them moving. Plus the surrounding water pressure decreases as they ascend so the air inside the bubble expands and the ring grows as it rises.

Can bubbles be made underwater?

Yes this is theoretically possible, and it is also observed in practice. Gases, including oxygen and carbon dioxide certainly, and probably also nitrogen, are absorbed in solution by water from the air (if oxygen were not absorbed fish would not be able to breathe underwater).

Do bubbles in the water mean fish?

It varies from oxygen to methane and to the noxious, rotten-egg-smelling hydrogen sulphide. But to watching anglers, the chemistry is largely irrelevant, it is simply the act of bubbling that suggests a fish is present.

Why do dolphins make bubble rings?

Dolphin behaviorists have noted that when dolphins are excited, surprised or curious, they will sometimes expel air from their blowholes, generating large, amorphous bubbles that rise quickly to the surface.

Why do jellyfish spin in bubble ring?

The silver doughnut of swirling fluid is created when water pressure at the bottom of the bubble is greater than at the top. The difference in pressures squeezes the bubble and forms a hole in the middle. Water circles back down and around the air which creates the ring shape.

How long can a bubble last?

Bubbles made with water, glycerol and microparticles stand the test of time. Researchers have created bubbles that can last more than a year before popping. These “everlasting” bubbles (one shown, with a radius of about 3.7 millimeters) get their stamina from glycerol and plastic particles.