Task Force Ocean Department Research Initiative: Ambient Biological Soundscape Characterization & Localization near Atlantis II Seamount Cluster (SIO component)
Abstract
Ambient biological sound makes up a significant portion of the deepwater soundscape traditionally discounted on submarine sonar logs as biologic and environment, and by traditional acoustic signal processors as background noise. When understood, biological s oundscapes can offer a wealth of environmental information and tactical capabilities. This Task Force Ocean (TFO) initiative proposa l covers the SIO component of a larger consortium that will characterize the ambient sound characteristics over and around the Atlan tis II seamount cluster. Via a subaward with Second Star Robotics (SSR) and collaborations with NUWC and NIWC, SIO will oversee th e design, construction, and deployment four pelagic drifters over two field seasons to explore the biological sounds produced by dee p scattering layer aggregations and pelagic fauna associated with the seamounts. Each drifter will incorporate a buoyancy engine, s tereo cameras, vertical and volumetric hydrophone arrays, and two vector sensors to characterize ambient noise directionality over a full solid angle. Over 48-72 hour deployments the drifters will analyze ambient noise features by using acoustic localization to d etermine source levels and signal structure of individual biological sounds, while acoustic-optical correlations will potentially re veal the size and relevant taxa of dominant contributors to the ambient sound field. The drifters will also seek to use ambient noi se to detect the presence and distance of seamounts by mapping the temporal, directional, and spectral features of noise generated b y pelagic fauna assembled around the seamounts, and by extending the concepts of the acoustic fathometer into a vector sensor fram ework to exploit wind-driven and ship noise for seamount detection and localization. Support before September 2021 is requested for ordering long lead-time drifter components and supporting two incoming graduate students.This abstract is publicly releasable.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 22, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112953
Entities
People
- Aaron Thode
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of California, San Diego