Research Summaries

Back South China Sea environmental effects on acoustic propagation physics

Fiscal Year 2018
Division Graduate School of Engineering & Applied Science
Department Oceanography
Investigator(s) Reeder, Davis B.
Sponsor Office of Naval Research (Navy)
Summary Since the turn of the century, the Office of Naval Research has invested heavily in physical oceanography and ocean acoustics research in the Asian Seas. Ocean acoustic projects have included ASIAEX, WISE, QPE and NLIWI; most recently, the combined acoustical effects of large bedforms and large internal solitary waves (ISW’s) have been studied in the South China Sea (SCS). Most of the internal wave energy generated in the Luzon Strait propagates along 21N latitude and reaches the continental shelfbreak in an area just north of Dongsha Atoll. Besides experiencing a great amount of internal wave energy, the region near Dongsha Atoll hosts large bedforms, varied bathymetric slopes, varied isobath orientation relative to the incoming internal wave fronts, strong refraction resulting in highly curved internal wave fronts, intersecting internal wave fronts to the west of Dongsha, pronounced water column stratification and varied seabed structure and sediment characteristics. This region presents unique opportunities for new research efforts to investigate the ocean environmental effects on acoustic propagation physics. In continued collaboration with our Taiwanese colleagues, plan and carry out several small field experiments that will support the investigation of (a) acoustic propagation characteristics of intersecting internal wave fronts, (b) mode coupling physics across the continental slope and shelf, and (c) acoustic propagation and ambient sound characteristics of highly constrained environments.
Equipment purchase explanation (as required in section above): Equipment purchases anticipated for this work will involve standard oceanographic, computer 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 Internal Waves Propagation Sand Dunes South China Sea
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