An Analysis of Deep Ocean Sound Attenuation at Very Low Frequencies

Abstract

The attenuation coefficient of low frequency, deep ocean acoustic waves is computed for various assumptions regarding the depth profile and the frequency dependence of the scatterers. The calculations are made for a realistic velocity profile by means of a perturbation technique proposed by Guthrie. It is shown that excellent agreement with experimental data is obtained when the attenuation function is independent of frequency and decreases exponentially with depth of 200-500 m. A surface value of 0.11 dB/km gives a good agreement with the date. At frequencies below 50 Hz the attenuation in the water column is comparable to the attenuation in the sediments for the lowest order normal modes.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 06, 1982
Accession Number
ADA111295

Entities

People

  • Claude W. Horton Sr.
  • Karl C. Focke
  • Stephen K. Mitchell

Organizations

  • University of Texas at Austin

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acoustic Waves
  • Agreements
  • Attenuation
  • Classification
  • Deep Oceans
  • Experimental Data
  • Frequency
  • Losses
  • Military Research
  • Oceans
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Perturbations
  • Sea Water
  • Security
  • Sediments
  • Water
  • Waves

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Acoustical Oceanography.
  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Spectroscopy.