Research Summaries

Back Acoustical Characterization of the Riverine Environment

Fiscal Year 2016
Division Graduate School of Engineering & Applied Science
Department Oceanography
Investigator(s) Reeder, Davis B.
Sponsor Office of Naval Research (Navy)
Summary Overarching goals for this proposed work are to develop new capabilities in understanding and monitoring the dynamics of the riverine environment based on the characterization of the acoustical environment through in situ field observations and modeling which are closely linked to environmental measurements. Specifically, there are four aspects to this proposed research: (1) Analyze the data collected during the 2015 field experiment at MCR during Sept. 8-11, focusing on (a) defining and describing characteristic features in the acoustic field, (b) correlation to simultaneously measured thermo- and hydrodynamic parameters made by colleagues from WHOI and ARL/UT; and (c) characterizing the acoustic propagation properties of the numerous hydrological features identified during the experiment. (2) Using T & S profiles collected during the 2015 field experiment, develop environmental model input for acoustic propagation modeling to be run on the DoD HPC systems to investigate the physics of acoustic refraction by the frontal features. Compare and contrast with in situ field observations. Investigate the effect of the environmental factors on the measured acoustic parameters. (3) Assess the impact of the MCR environmental features on the operational performance of sonar systems of interest. (4) Plan, procure and prepare for future field experiments. (5) Disseminate results via conference presentations and peer-reviewed journal publications, as appropriate. Equipment purchase explanation (as required in section above): Equipment purchases anticipated for this work will involve standard oceanographic and lab equipment that will be handled within the context of this project and by existing personnel. No additional or special long-term maintenance requirements are anticipated.
Keywords Acoustics Columbia River Estuary River
Publications Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal
Data Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal