Low frequency resonance backscatter from near-surface bubble clouds

Abstract

When active sonar systems are used to insonate the sea surface, anomalous scattering is observed in the form of enhanced backscatter, and more importantly, in the form of discrete, bright echoes. The most plausible explanation for these effects is the increased scattering resulting from the presence of bubble plumes and clouds, produced near the surface by breaking waves. This paper describes some preliminary calculations of the back scattered target strengths expected on the basis of resonance scattering from bubble clouds