Observations of Backscatter from Sand and Gravel Seafloors Between 170 and 250 kHz

TitleObservations of Backscatter from Sand and Gravel Seafloors Between 170 and 250 kHz
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year2015
AuthorsWeber, TC, Ward, LG
JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
Volume138
Pages2169–2180
Date PublishedOctober 2015
PublisherAcoustical Society of America
Keywordsacoustic rough interface scattering, acoustical measurements, backscatter, Seafloor Characterization

Interpreting observations of frequency-dependence in backscatter from the seafloor offers many challenges, either because multiple frequencies are used for different observations that will later be merged or simply because seafloor scattering models are not well-understood above 100 kHz. Hindering the understanding of these observations is the paucity of reported, calibrated acoustic measurements above 100 kHz. This manuscript seeks to help elucidate the linkages between seafloor properties and frequency-dependent seafloor backscatter by describing observations of backscatter collected from sand, gravel, and bedrock seafloors at frequencies between 170 and 250 kHz and at a grazing angle of 45. Overall, the frequency dependence appeared weak for all seafloor types, with a slight increase in seafloor scattering strength with increasing frequency for an area with unimodal, very poorly to moderately well sorted, slightly granular to granular medium sand with significant amounts of shell debris and a slight decrease in all other locations.

Publication Linkhttp://scitation.aip.org/content/asa/journal/jasa/138/4/10.1121/1.4930185