DEPSCoR eligible DURIP: Combined Active and Passive Acoustic Sensing System
Abstract
"This proposal is to provide the University of New Hampshire with 2 moorings containingcombined autonomous active and passive acoustical systems to perform long-term studies ofinterface scattering, volume scattering, soundscapes, and ecosystems. The PIs are currentlyinvolved in a number of research projects supported by the Ocean Acoustics and Marine Mammals and Biology Programs at ONR on various topics including a study of scattering from sea ice overannual cycles, measurement and modeling of soundscapes of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf, a study aimed at understanding and predicting future shifts in distribution and foraging dynamics ofprotected marine life, and a study of environmental indicators of changes affecting the acousticenvironment and sonar performance. The proposal focus is to acquire 2 complete moorings containing equipment capable of recording long time-series of active and passive acoustic measurements either in combination or separately to better understand the acoustic and biological environments in a given area. A system that combines active and passive acoustic technology will be invaluable in studying the synergistic relationship of several environmental elements; passive acoustics provides a means of recording all contributing sources to a regional soundscape, whereas active acoustics allows the measurement of volume scatterers in the water column (zooplankton, fish, bubbles) as well as interface scattering due to the sea surface, ice cover, or seafloor sediments and benthic biota. Measurements from this system will support the collection of annual or longer time-series measurements of 1) the scattering properties of the ocean boundaries, 2) ambient ocean sound spectra to correlate with natural and human-generated sound sources, 3) species-specific marine mammal vocal presence and distribution, and 4) water-column scatterers which can be biological (zooplankton/fish prey) or non-biological (bubbles) in origin. Acquisition of the acoustical systems would also facilitate the involvement of UNH in future experiments at a level that would support graduate student participation in fieldwork, affording hands-on training in ocean acoustics."
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 08, 2020
- Source ID
- N000142012360
Entities
People
- Anthony P. Lyons
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University System of New Hampshire