Seabed Characterization Acoustic Field Study on the South New England Shelf
Abstract
Field research and follow-on analysis is proposed to contribute to the understanding of acoustically relevant properties of the oceanic seabed, of sound propagating in and above the seabed, and of seabed characterization methods. An ad hoc committee of research scientists has drafted a plan for a field study in the ~Mud Patch~ area of the South New England Shelf, approximately 100 km south of Martha~s Vineyard, MA. In this area, fine-grained sediment ofuneven thickness overlies a sandy seabed. The planned multi-institution, multi-PI Seabed Characterization Experiment 2017 (SCE17) study will collect seabed data, acoustic data, andwater column environmental data to better characterize and understand geophysical, physical, and acoustic conditions in this area, and to research methods for that characterization. Primaryobjectives are to (O1) Understand the physical mechanisms controlling propagation within the seabed, (O2) Estimate the seabed properties and quantify uncertainty, and (O3) Assess performance of inversion methods/geoacoustic models. As part of this effort, the Shallow Water Acoustics Group at Woods Hole OceanographicInstitution (WHOI), part of the WHOI Ocean Acoustics and Signals Laboratory (OASL), proposes here to use moored equipment, autonomous mobile equipment, and shipboard equipment to achieve the objectives. Specifically, four acoustic sources will be emplaced, an acoustically equipped REMUS AUV will be deployed in a sequence of operations, an interface wave measurement operation of the University of Rhode Island will be supported, a ship-towed J-15-1 source will be prepared for deployment, and ship-board sensors will be operated by WHOI staff. This WHOI team will coordinate its activities with other study participants and theSCE ad hoc committee. Our proposed activities are based on the recommendations of a June 2016 meeting of potential participants.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 04, 2017
- Source ID
- N000141712114
Entities
People
- Ying Tsong Lin
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution