Impacts of infaunal organisms on acoustic wave propagation through sediments

Abstract

Impacts of infaunal organisms on acoustic wave propagation through sediments Abstract: Infaunal organisms in marine sediments alter sediment structure in various ways, including changing surface roughness, heterogeneity, and porosity, all of which have potential implications for acoustic backscatter, attenuation, and sound speed in sediments. This project aims to characterize the impacts of different functional groups of infauna on sound speed and attenuation in muddy and sandy sediments. Laboratory mesocosms will be used to test the hypotheses that infauna affect sound speeds and attenuation in marine sediments and that these impacts vary with functional group, abundance, and body sizes of organisms. Natural abundances of target species will be quantified and mesocosm abundances will be established relative to natural abundances. Based on laboratory results, field sited with high abundances of target species will be identified and preliminary experiments conducted to measure acoustic and geotechnical properties.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Aug 12, 2016
Source ID
N000141512602

Entities

People

  • Kelly M. Dorgan

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Geotechnical Engineering.