Shelf Break Acoustics: An Integrated Approach for Studying Underwater Acoustic Sensitivity, Localization and Inversion
Abstract
Theory development, numerical modeling and field work experiments with strong interdisciplinary collaborations are proposed to inve"stigate the acoustic effects of physical oceanographic processes, marine geology, and biology on sound propagation in shelf break areas. The ocean processes and features of particular interest include shelf-break fronts, thermohaline intrusions, upwelling, internal waves, submarine canyons, seabed properties, and fish schoolingand shoaling. The ultimate scientific objective is towards establishing data-assimilated acoustic models. The center of the theoretical analysis is at the acoustic sensitivity kernel linking the complex sound pressure changes in both amplitude and phase to the ocean medium variations. Advanced three-dimensional (3D) sound propagation and scattering numerical models utilizingthe sensitivity kernel will be established. Two field experiments using state-of-the-art underseaacoustic equipment are proposed, one of which will be in the South China Sea (SCS) and another will be at the New England Shelf Break. The experimental sites are selected for strategic and tactical importance to the Navy for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and also for scientific significance to advance underwater acoustic detection, localization and environmental characterization technology. Adaptive environmental sampling of acoustic ~hot-spots~ will be conducted in the New England Shelf Break Acoustics (NESBA) experiment, and the data will be utilized to verify theoretical predictions and numerical models. There will also be an educatio"n component to educate, train, and mentor the next-generation scientists for naval research.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2019
- Source ID
- N000141912663
Entities
People
- Ying-Tsong Lin
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution