Abstract
Experimental measurements of the bottom backscattering strength from carbonate sediments were made with a 200-kHz multibeam sonar mounted on a remotely operated vehicle. Results were obtained from eight different sites, which may be grouped into three categories, labeled soft, medium and hard, according to measured sediment sound speed. Sediment samples were gathered at or near each site to help interpret the acoustic results. The acoustic results are compared with extant published data and with the BOGGART bottom backscatter model. Backscattering strength values measured in the soft and medium sites fell within the main cluster of previously published values from sediments of similar grain sizes. The values from the hard region fell close to the upper limit. Dependence of the apparent backscattering strength on sonar height above bottom, particularly for the lower values of height above bottom, was observed, which suggests that the scattering process is a multiple-scattering one.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chotiros, N., Altenburg, R. & Piper, J. Analysis of acoustic backscatter in the vicinity of the Dry Tortugas. Geo-Marine Letters 17, 325–334 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003670050044
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003670050044