Abstract
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, calibratedacoustic 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.
Department
Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping
Publication Date
10-16-2015
Volume
138 (4)
Journal Title
Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
Pages
2169-2180
Rights
Copyright 2015 Acoustical Society of America. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the Acoustical Society of America. The following article appeared in Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (JASA), Vol. 138 Iss. 4, and may be found at http://asa.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1121/1.4930185
Publisher
Acoustical Society of America
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1121/1.4930185
Document Type
Journal Article
Recommended Citation
T. C. Weber and L. G. Ward, ‘Observations of backscatter from sand and gravel seafloors between 170 and 250 kHz’, The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, vol. 138, no. 4, pp. 2169–2180, Oct. 2015.