The effect of suspended particulate matter on the performance of high frequency sonars in turbid coastal waters

Abstract

Shallow coastal environments are characterised by high levels of suspended mineral particles relative lo the open ocean and such suspensions can have a significant effect on the performance of high frequency sonars operating in these environments through thermo-viscous absorption and scattering. This paper shows how the increased attenuation due to these processes can be calculated and results presented demonstrate that such. calculations should be included in future high frequency, shallow water, sonar performance models.