ACOUSTIC DETECTION OF MICROBUBBLES AND PARTICULATE MATTER NEAR THE SEA SURFACE

Abstract

A pulse-echo system using an electrostatic transducer and steel reflector was operated over the frequency range 24-192 Kcps in the sea and in the laboratory. Excell attenuations from 0.15 to 1.1 db/M due to absorption and scattering by inhomogeneities were made over the full frequency range with a maximum error of less than 0.05 db/meter. Backscattering at sea was detected in the frequency range 24-60 Kcps with an average scattering cross-section per unit volume of 400 sq cm/ cu m at a depth of 10 feet. Scattering as not detected above 60 Kcps. Variation of sound velocity with frequency was measured from 24- 192 Kcps. The accuracy of these values was 0.03% for frequencies over 40 Kcps. Results are compared and it is postulated that; (1) below 60 Kcps the absorption and scattering was due to microbubbles of radius greater than 50 microns, and (2) above 60 Kcps minute plankton caused absorption without significant scattering.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1965
Accession Number
AD0475320

Entities

People

  • James E. Mcneil
  • Robert H. Marks
  • Stanley Buxcey

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Acoustic Detection
  • Acoustics
  • Attenuation
  • Backscattering
  • Computer Programs
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Diffraction
  • Electrical Equipment
  • Electronics Laboratories
  • Frequency
  • Losses
  • Measurement
  • Scattering
  • Scattering Cross Sections
  • Transducers

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electromagnetic Wave Scattering and Antenna Radiation Engineering
  • Oceanography.
  • Optical Fiber Sensing and Electromagnetic Propagation.