Abstract
The dependence of acoustic backscatter variations on sediment grain-size distribution is examined using a combined analysis of 95 kHz side-scan data and approx. 300 grab samples from the New Jersey margin. We show that, under well-controlled circumstances, an unprecedented degree of correlation can be obtained between backscatter intensity and mean grain size. However, backscatter is disproportionately affected by larger grain sizes. Addition of just a few extra weight percentage of the larger grain sizes (>4 mm), which in our study is typically represented by more abundant shell hash among the older sediments at greater water depths, can completely degrade this correlation.
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Received: 29 September 1999 / Revision accepted: 14 February 2000
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Goff, J., Olson, H. & Duncan, C. Correlation of side-scan backscatter intensity with grain-size distribution of shelf sediments, New Jersey margin. Geo-Marine Letters 20, 43–49 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003670000032
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003670000032