The Influence of Surface Roughness and Bubbles on Sea Surface Acoustic Backscattering (Der Einfluss von Seegangsrauhigkeit und Blasen auf die Akustischen Rueckstreueigen-Schaften der Meeresoberflaeche)

Abstract

The results from a recent sea surface acoustic scattering experiment, which was conducted in the North Sea, are presented with accompanying sea surface roughness parameters and subsurface bubble information. The acoustic data were obtained utilizing a high-resolution (narrow beamwidth) pulsed parametric sonar transmitter and conventional receiver. Scattering strength values were obtained as a function of frequency (3-18 kHz) and grazing angle (15 to 90) for differing sea surface roughness and wind speed conditions. The dominant backscattering mechanisms are bubbles at high wind speeds and low grazing angles and the high frequency ocean wavenumber spectrum at low wind speeds and all grazing angles. In an intermediate wind speed regime, the time history of backscattering shows strong fluctuations, which are caused by both scattering mechanisms. Keywords: North Sea; Parametric sonar; Radar backscatter; Roughness dependence; Shallow water; Waveheight dependence; Wind dependence; Acoustic scattering strength; Backward surface scatter; Bubbles; Frequency dependence; Grazing angle dependence; High resolution.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 12, 1987
Accession Number
ADA191298

Entities

People

  • Bernd Neutzel
  • Heinz Herwig
  • Joseph M. Monti
  • Paul D. Koenigs

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acoustic Detectors
  • Acoustic Frequencies
  • Acoustic Measurement
  • Acoustic Scattering
  • Acoustics
  • Backscattering
  • Data Analysis
  • Diffraction
  • Frequency
  • Grazing Angles
  • High Resolution
  • Repetition Rate
  • Roughness
  • Scattering
  • Surface Properties
  • Surface Roughness
  • Wind Velocity

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Combustion Dynamics and Shock Wave Physics.
  • Electromagnetic Wave Scattering and Antenna Radiation Engineering