At depths of 150 ft and deeper, what percentage of the gas pulse reaches the surface?

At depths of 150 ft and deeper, what percentage of the gas pulse reaches the surface?

• A. 0%
• B. 25%
• C. 50%
• D. 100%

Answer: (A)

Gas released underwater doesn’t behave the same at all depths. As you go deeper, the surrounding water pressure increases a lot, which pushes gas into solution and compresses any forming bubbles. A gas pulse released at 150 ft or deeper tends to dissolve into the seawater rather than form bubbles large enough to rise all the way to the surface. The combination of high pressure and dissolved gas means essentially no gas makes it to the surface, so the percentage reaching the surface is effectively zero.

Gas released underwater doesn’t behave the same at all depths. As you go deeper, the surrounding water pressure increases a lot, which pushes gas into solution and compresses any forming bubbles. A gas pulse released at 150 ft or deeper tends to dissolve into the seawater rather than form bubbles large enough to rise all the way to the surface. The combination of high pressure and dissolved gas means essentially no gas makes it to the surface, so the percentage reaching the surface is effectively zero.