8-kHz bottom backscattering measurements at low grazing angles in shallow water

Abstract

8-kHz bottom backscattering measurements at low grazing angles (6 degrees-31 degrees) are presented. The experiment was performed at a very shallow water site with a silty bottom on the south coast of Korea. Backscattering strengths between -42 and -30 dB were obtained and were compared to a theoretical backscattering model and Lambert's law. The fit of the theoretical model to the measurements suggests that sediment volume scattering is dominant over scattering from bottom interface roughness. Combining these results with previous measurements found in the published literature implies that backscattering strengths from silty sediment increase slightly as the frequency increases.