Experimental study of the ballast in situ sediment acoustic measurement system in South China Sea

The mechanical structure, the function modules, the working principles, and a sea trial of the newly developed ballast in situ sediment acoustic measurement system are reported in this study. The system relies on its own weight to insert transducers into seafloor sediments and can accurately measure the penetration depth using a specially designed mechanism. The system comprises of an underwater position monitoring and working status judgment module and has two operation modes: self-contained measurement and real-time visualization. The designed maximum working water depth of the system is 3,000?m, and the maximum measured depth of seafloor sediment is 0.8?m. The system has one transmitting transducer with the transmitting frequency band of 20–35?kHz and three receiving transducers. The in situ acoustic measurement system was tested at 15 stations in the northern South China Sea, and repeated measurements in seawater demonstrated good working performance. Comparison with predictions from empirical equations indicated that the measured speed of sound and attenuation fell within the predicted range and that the in situ measured data were reliable.     

原位测量技术在黄海沉积声学调查中的应用

介绍了最新研制的基于液压驱动贯入的自容式海底沉积声学原位测量系统及其在南黄海中部海底沉积声学调查中的应用。该系统可以实现对海底沉积物声速和声衰减系数进行原位测量,通过液压驱动装置将四根声学探杆匀速贯入到海底沉积物中,减少了对沉积物的扰动,可按照预设的工作参数在海底全自动工作,无需甲板上人员实时控制,采集的声波信号自容式存储于存储单元。系统工作水深为500 m,测量深度为1 m,测量频率为30 kHz,采样频率为10 MHz。使用该系统在南黄海中部获得了40个站位不同类型沉积物的声学特性原位测量数据,并使用CTD剖面仪对该系统声速测量进行了标定,相对误差均小于0.5%,表明该系统测量数据准确、可靠。     

Research on the sediment acoustic properties based on a water coupled laboratory measurement system

Abstract

The high-frequency acoustic properties of seafloor sediments are very significant in seafloor study and underwater acoustic study field. In order to measure the sound speed and the attenuation for the small-scale sediment cores more accurately, this study developed a water coupled acoustic laboratory measurement system based on Richardson-Briggs technique. This method used the correlation comparison of waveforms received in sediment core and in identical reference tubes filled with water to measure sound speed and attenuation. The sound speed and attenuation of a clayey silt sediment sample were measured using the water coupled acoustic laboratory measurement system. This frequency dependence of the sound speed and attenuation showed that the clayey silt sediment has a weak positive sound speed dispersion, while the attenuation increases with a strong positive gradient within the measurement frequency range. This study also noted that the measured sound speed ratio match well with the empirical equations from literature. The measured attenuation factor data can fall in the Hamilton’s empirical prediction range.     

Relationships between the sound speed ratio and physical properties of surface sediments in the South Yellow Sea

Building empirical equations is an effective way to link the acoustic and physical properties of sediments. These equations play an important role in the prediction of sediments sound speeds required in underwater acoustics.Although many empirical equations coupling acoustic and physical properties have been developed over the past few decades, further confirmation of their applicability by obtaining large amounts of data, especially for equations based on in situ acoustic measurement techniques, is required. A sediment acoustic survey in the South Yellow Sea from 2009 to 2010 revealed statistical relationships between the in situ sound speed and sediment physical properties. To improve the comparability of these relationships with existing empirical equations, the present study calculated the ratio of the in situ sediment sound speed to the bottom seawater sound speed, and established the relationships between the sound speed ratio and the mean grain size, density and porosity of the sediment. The sound speed of seawater at in situ measurement stations was calculated using a perennially averaged seawater sound speed map by an interpolation method. Moreover, empirical relations between the index of impedance and the sound speed and the physical properties were established. The results confirmed that the existing empirical equations between the in situ sound speed ratio and the density and porosity have general suitability for application. This study also considered that a multiple-parameter equation coupling the sound speed ratio to both the porosity and the mean grain size may be more useful for predicting the sound speed than an equation coupling the sound speed ratio to the mean grain size.     

海底松散沉积物声学性质原位测量实验研究

分析研究了国内外海底松散泥沙的声速和声衰减系数测量的研究现状,并据此研制了海底表层沉积物声速声衰减系数原位测量系统。利用原位测量系统分别在实验室和海滩对不同粒度的沉积物进行了测量分析,得到了不同粒度沉积物的声速和声衰减系数。数据分析表明,沉积物的声速和声衰减系数与沉积物的粒径有密切的关系,粒径越粗,声速越高,声衰减系数越大。通过沉积物声学性质研究,可以开发海底浅层沉积物声学性质原位测量技术,提高相关海洋调查的速度和效率。     

浅海沉积声学原位探测系统研制及深海功能拓展

海底沉积物的声速和声衰减系数等声学特性参数是影响水下声场空间结构、水声通讯、水声设备使用性能、海底目标探测的重要因素。介绍了最新研制的浅海海底沉积声学原位测量系统的工作原理、结构组成和性能特点,并对系统在黄海和南海海底沉积物声学特性调查中的应用情况进行了总结。最后,对系统在满足深海应用方面的功能拓展进行了讨论和展望。     

关于海底沉积物声特性实验室直接测量方法的探讨

海底沉积物声学特性实验室测量是除原位(in situ)测量之外最直接的沉积物声学特性测量方法。作为一项基础性研究,利用声波参数仪准确测量海底沉积物的声速和声衰减对建立海洋地声学模型具有重要意义。文章针对RS- ST01C型数字超声测试仪在测量过程中所存在的一些问题进行了探讨,对规范海底沉积物声学特性实验室测量方法具有实际意义。     

Drag-type in-situ acoustic measurement system: Design,operation, and experimental results

The Drag-type In-Situ Acoustic Measurement System (DISAMS) is a new instrument designed for rapid measurement of seabed sediment acoustic parameters, including the sediment sound velocity and acoustic attenuation coefficient. The DISAMS consists of six independent acoustic probes arranged symmetrically such that each side has one transmitting probe and two receiving probes. The entire operation is controlled and monitored in real time by a deck control unit on board, and the center frequency of the DISAMS is 30?kHz. The DISAMS can record full waveforms to determine the sound velocity and attenuation coefficient in the seabed sediment. In addition to site measurements, the DISAMS can also carry out towing measurements, resulting in improved efficiency compared with existing in-situ acoustic measurement systems. This article presents the configuration, electronics, and tests of the DISAMS in detail. Laboratory tests were conducted in a sediment pool, sea trials were carried out in the Zhoushan Islands, and sound velocity and attenuation coefficient data were obtained. The test results demonstrated that the DISAMS performed well and was able to measure the sound velocity and attenuation coefficient rapidly and accurately in both site measurements and towing measurements.     

多频海底声学原位测试系统研制和试用

海底沉积物的声学特性(最重要的是声速和声衰减)以及它们与物理(包括土力学)特性之间的关系是沉积物声学中两个重要的研究项目.介绍了新研制的实时监控多频海底声学原位测试系统.该系统可测量浅表层沉积物的声速.探测频率为8,10,12,15 kHz,可根据实际情况选择发射波形、接收增益和采样长度,采样率为0.5~2.0 MHz,工作水深为300 m.系统具有倾斜传感器、8通道扩充等功能.用该系统在杭州湾测得了四种频率的沉积物原位声速.     

Sea-bed acoustic parameters from dispersion analysis and transmission loss in the East China Sea

As a part of the Asian Seas International Acoustic Experiment (ASIAEX) in the East China Sea, sound propagation signals from wideband explosive sources were measured using a 32-element vertical line array. Measurements were made as a function of range in two perpendicular tracks. Sea-bed geoacoustic parameters based on a fluid half-space geoacoustic model (sound speed, density, and attenuation) are inverted from the sound propagation in the frequency range 100-500 Hz. The sea-bed sound speed and density were first derived from mode arrival time differences which were obtained using a spatial mode filtering technique. Sea-bed acoustic attenuation was subsequently estimated by comparing measured transmission loss with model results.     

Assessment of acoustic iterative inverse method for bubble sizing to experimental data

Comparative study was carried out for an acoustic iterative inverse method to estimate bubble size distributions in water. Conventional bubble sizing methods consider only sound attenuation for sizing. Choi and Yoon [IEEE, 26(1), 125–130 (2001)] reported an acoustic iterative inverse method, which extracts the sound speed component from the measured sound attenuation. It can more accurately estimate the bubble size distributions in water than do the conventional methods. The estimation results of acoustic iterative inverse method were compared with other experimental data. The experimental data show good agreement with the estimation from the acoustic iterative inverse method. This iterative technique can be utilized for bubble sizing in the ocean.     

小尺度海底沉积物的声衰减特性研究

为研究小尺度海底沉积物样品的声衰减特性,作者提出了用声学探针测量海底沉积物声波幅值的新方法,对沉积物样品扰动小,两个测量点的距离可小于波长,为海底沉积物微观声衰减测量提供了新手段。作者用小于波长的间隔逐点测量了沉积物的压缩波幅值,数据分析表明沿沉积物柱状样全长的声衰减满足指数衰减模型。目前主要用同轴差距衰减测量法获得海底沉积物声衰减数据,但该方法不能辨识声衰减模型,因此不同海区的测量结果难以建立联系。对此作者又提出用声吸收系数反演的幅值比与声衰减系数反演的R值(两种幅值比的比值)作评价依据,分析了垂直轴差距衰减测量法获得的南海海底沉积物声衰减测量数据,发现部分沉积物样品声衰减的R值远大于1,其声衰减不满足指数衰减模型。在声衰减满足指数衰减模型的条件下,用Hamilton的声衰减和频率经验公式预报的南海沉积物声衰减比与作者用声学探针测量海底沉积物所得的声衰减比对比,通过对R值分析得出Hamilton的声衰减和频率经验公式可以预报南海沉积物声衰减比的范围。作者提出的声学探针测量海底沉积物声衰减的方法的优点是既能获得声衰减数据又能辨识声衰减模型,不同海区测量的沉积物声衰减比可用R值建立联系。     

北极冰下声传播特性实验研究

通过2017年8月6日在北极海域开展的一次声传播实验，开展了冰下声传播特性实验研究。结合Burke-Twersky （BT）散射模型与射线模型，分析了冰下声传播的多途到达结构，研究了接收声强变化规律，解释了接收声强在30 min内衰减20 dB的现象，分析了接收信号的时间相关性，探讨了接收信号相关性较低的原因。实验结果表明，表面接收信号主要由小角度多次反转反射声线、一次海底反射声线和二次海底反射声线依次构成，表面声道到达信号显著强于海底反射信号。试验冰站在试验期间的运动导致了声传播信号强度和相关性的迅速衰减，并通过仿真得到了验证。     

浅地层剖面仪关键声学参数的检测技术研究

基于在消声水池中对参量阵型浅地层剖面仪进行的声学参数测量试验及数据的处理分析,探索性地提出了一套完整的浅地层剖面仪关键声学参数检测与评价的解决方案。方案主要包括4部分:1)检测平台构建:简述了检测平台的主要组成部分,并对消声水池的建设提出了基本的技术要求;2)声学参数测量:介绍了浅地层剖面仪的声源级、频率和脉冲长度测量的方法和操作要点;3)数据处理分析:论述了测量数据预处理的目的和方法,给出了声学参数计算的主要公式和方法;4)符合性分析:分析各声学参数实测值与标称值的符合性及偏离度。本试验发现所用的浅地层剖面仪的关键声学参数的实测值与其标称值偏离较大,即说明书给出的标称值仅是参考性数值。因此,在进行浅地层剖面仪的检测与校准工作时,应对新购仪器进行强制性首检以获取其各参数准确的初始值。     

南沙海域深水区表层沉积物声速与孔隙度相关关系

采用同轴差距测量法对南沙海域海底沉积物取样进行甲板现场声学测量,并计算了声速,结合沉积物取样分析获得的孔隙度,研究了海底表层100 cm沉积物的声速和孔隙度之间的相互关系,分析获得了孔隙度与海底沉积物声速关系的经验公式,结果表明此海域沉积物声速的临界孔隙度为67.80%。将此公式与国内外其他学者建立的经验公式进行了对比,分析发现各预测方程之间存在着差异,说明不同海域的沉积物声学特性具有差异性,经验公式具有区域性,同时分析了其他影响声速的因素。此项工作对于建立和研究南海声场环境具有重要意义。     

Fine-scale acoustic tomographic imaging of shallow water sediments

In acoustic tomographic system capable of performing in situ two-dimensional (2D) acoustic imaging of shallow water sediments is described. This system is capable of resolving inhomogeneities greater than 10 cm and differentiating sound-speed variations greater than 2%, A tomographic inversion is performed in a 2D vertical slice of about 1 m ² (1 m×1 m) using three identical probes, with each consisting of 70 evenly distributed transducers. In normal deployments, two of the probes are oriented vertically and are separated by about 1 meter, and the third is positioned horizontally right above the two vertical probes. The additional horizontal probe greatly improves the horizontal resolution of the system compared to conventional crosshole tomographic setups. Numerical simulations are performed to evaluate the influences of arrival time detection error and transducer position error on the performance of the tomography system. For an arrival time of 500 ns (standard deviation) and a position error of 4 mm (standard deviation), sound-speed anomalies of greater than 0.8% can be correctly predicted near the upper portion (close to the horizontal probe) and are resolvable near the lower portion. A controlled laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of the system. The location of a polyurethane block (Conap EN22) used as a known target is correctly predicted while the inverted sound speed is about 9% lower than that from its actual value. Field data taken from a saturated muddy site are presented and analyzed. The inverted mean sound speed and attenuation are about 1480 ms^-1 and 20 dBm^-1, respectively     

Acoustic bubble counting technique using sound speed extracted fromsound attenuation

Sound attenuation has been solely used to estimate bubble size distributions of bubbly water in the conventional acoustic bubble sizing methods. These conventional methods are useful for the void fraction around 10^-6 or lower. However, the change of compressibility in the bubbly water also should be considered in bubble sizing for the void fraction around 10^-5 or higher. Recently the sound speed as well as sound attenuation was considered for acoustic bubble size estimation in bubbly water. In this paper, the sound speed estimated from sound attenuation in bubbly water by an iterative method is used for a bubble counting. This new iterative inverse bubble sizing technique is numerically tested for bubble distributions of single-size Gaussian, and power-law functions. The numerical simulation results are in agreement with the given bubble distributions even for the high void fractions of 10^-4-10^-3. It suggests that the iterative inverse technique can be a very powerful tool for practical use in acoustic bubble counting in the ocean     

Measurement of the In Situ Compressional Wave Properties of Marine Sediments

Geoacoustic inversion requires a generic knowledge of the frequency dependence of compressional wave properties in marine sediments, the nature of which is still under debate. The use of in situ probes to measure sediment acoustic properties introduces a number of experimental difficulties that must be overcome. To this end, a series of well-constrained in situ acoustic transmission experiments were undertaken on intertidal sediments using a purpose-built in situ device, the Sediment Probing Acoustic Detection Equipment (SPADE). Compressional wave speed and attenuation coefficient were measured from 16 to 100 kHz in medium to fine sands and coarse to medium silts. Spreading losses, which were adjusted for sediment type, were incorporated into the data processing, as were a thorough error analysis and an examination of the repeatability of both the acoustic wave emitted by the source and the coupling between probes and sediment. Over the experimental frequency range and source-to-receiver (S-R) separations of 0.99-8.1 m, resulting speeds are accurate to between 1.1% and 4.5% in sands and less than 1.9% in silts, while attenuation coefficients are accurate to between 1 and 7 dBm in both sands and silts. Preliminary results indicate no speed dispersion and an attenuation coefficient that is proportional to frequency.     

海底底质声学原位测量电路控制系统研究

介绍了一种液压驱动贯入式海底沉积声学原位测量系统的电路控制单元的研究实现过程,以及该控制单元在南海北部海底沉积声学调查中的应用。该电路控制单元以Cortex-A8处理器为核心,集成大容量FLASH存储器,与单片机接口控制板进行串口通讯,实现对声学发射采集单元和机械液压贯入单元的可视化控制和监测。基于该电路控制单元,海底底质声学原位测量系统兼具自容式和在线式两种工作模式,可自容记录或实时采集声学原位测量单元在海底的工作状态数据、海底沉积物声速和声衰减系数等声学特性数据。该声学原位测量系统的实验室联调及南海海试结果表明,使用该电路控制单元对海底底质声学测量过程的监测与控制是有效的,对精确获取海底底质的原位声学特性有重要作用,可以促进海底底质声学原位测量系统的产品化。