A rapid method for determining the lowering of tension of exposed water surfaces, with some observations on the surface tension of the sea and of Inland waters

Abstract

By observations of the spread of mixtures of a higher paraffin oil with dodecyl alcohol, the lowering of surface tension due to invisible contamination can be determined. The spreading power of the mixtures was calibrated against known surface pressures and found to be a reliable index to an accuracy of about 1 dyne/cm. The preliminary results indicate that the surface tension of sea water near the coast, except in harbors or where there is visible contamination, is that of clean sea water. The tension of river surfaces is related to the speed of flow rather than to transparency.