Ambient Noise Vertical Directionality and Reflection Loss Estimates for a Shallow Tropical Site with a Fast Sound Speed Bottom

Abstract

For high frequency ocean acoustic modeling applications, seabed reflection loss is a useful alternative input compared to conventional geoacoustic model parameters. Reflection loss can be estimated by comparing the noise intensity of the up and down components of the ambient noise vertical directionality pattern. The potential of this method is demonstrated with experimental data spanning one week, collected off shallow east coast of India using a 21 element vertical hydrophone array. The compact and easily operable vertical array has been designed for high frequency directionality estimation in the band 2–10?kHz. The ambient noise data are beam formed to arrive at the vertical directionality pattern. Further reflection loss values as a function of frequency and grazing angle have been estimated for 1/3 octave bands for a sandy sea bed in warm tropical waters. This has been compared with modeled reflection loss estimates using OASR reflection loss module of OASES. This will serve as inputs to propagation models for applications such as inverse techniques, ambient noise modelling, and sonar system performance prediction.     

考虑自由面反射作用的圆柱流噪声计算

对于现代舰船而言噪声是其关键性能之一,目前水下航行体的流激噪声预测方法已经较为成熟,但是水面舰船的水动力噪声研究起步较晚,还没有形成系统的预报方法和控制手段。使用开源CFD工具包OpenFOAM求解器,流场通过大涡模拟方法求解,自由液面则依靠VOF方法捕捉,通过Curle方程预测远场噪声,基于镜像法考虑自由面的反射作用,数值模拟近自由面圆柱周围的声场分布。开展了Re=3 900下距离自由液面不同高度的圆柱辐射噪声求解,主要结合流场分析自由面对声场的扰动作用和不同深度对水下几何体流噪声的影响。初步考虑了自由液面波形对辐射噪声的反射作用,为后续预测水面舰船的水动力噪声特性提供依据,自由面对辐射噪声的阻抗等作用还需进一步研究。     

Effects of sediment properties on surface-generated ambient noise in a shallow ocean

Surface-generalized ambient noise in a shallow ocean waveguide with a sediment layer possessing a specific class of density and sound speed distributions capable of describing a realistic seabed environment is considered in this analysis. This class of non-uniform sediment layer has the density and sound speed distributions varying with respect to depth as a generalized-exponential and an inverse-square function, respectively. The study invokes a formulation developed by Kuperman and Ingenito (Kuperman, W. A., Ingenito, F., 1980. Spatial correlation of surface-generated noise in a stratified ocean. J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 67, 1988-1996.) for surface noise generation, in conjunction with the analytical solutions for the Helmholtz equation corresponding to the sediment layer, to arrive at an analytical expression convenient for numerical implementation. The intensity and spatial correlation of the noise sound field are analyzed with respect to the variation of the system parameters, including frequency, sediment layer thickness, sound speed gradient, with emphasis on the effects of sediment properties on the ambient noise field. The results have demonstrated that the intensity of the noise field is relatively sensitive to the variation of the parameters, but the spatial correlation is affected to a less extent, suggesting that the energy distribution, rather than the spatial structure, of the noise field is more susceptible to the environmental variations.     

Measured vertical noise directionality at five sites in the Western North Atlantic

Solutions were computed for the vertical ambient sea noise field directionality at five sites in the Western North Atlantic Ocean using data from a 26-hydrophone element array with a 358.4-foot aperture at a center depth of 1,000 feet. Results show that the low-frequency noise below 100 Hz is concentrated near the horizontal (50 to 93 percent of the noise power between /spl plusmn/15/spl deg/ of horizontal) and is apparently dependent on bottom loss and shipping density. The results in the band 200 to 380 Hz are a combination of sea state and shipping noise dependent. A noise field solution technique was developed involving noise cross spectral matrix inversions. This technique overcomes some of the drawbacks of previous techniques such as least mean square estimation and successive approximations.     

Vertical directionality of ambient noise at 32°N as a functionof longitude and wind speed

Measurements of the ambient-noise field between 50 and 300 Hz with vertical arrays at 32°N (124°W, 136°W, and 150°W) have been made. Substantial differences in the vertical distribution of noise have been measured (especially at the higher frequencies), which can be interpreted in the context of attenuation by seawater sound absorption of coastal shipping noise. Under low wind-speed conditions, the vertical distribution of ambient noise is clearly concentrated within approximately ±15° of the horizontal. High wind speed has the effect of filling in the higher vertical angles, while leaving the level within the low-angular region unchanged     

The Seafloor Borehole Array Seismic System (SEABASS) and VLF ambient noise

The Seafloor Borehole Array Seismic System (SEABASS) has been developed to measure the pressure and threedimensional particle velocity of the VLF sound field (2–50 Hz) below the seafloor in the deep ocean. The system consists of four three-component borehole seismometers (with an optional hydrophone). a borehole digitizing unit, and a seafloor control and recording package. The system can be deployed using a wireline re-entry capability from a conventional research vessel in Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) and Ocean Drilling Project (ODP) boreholes. Data from below the seafloor are acquired either onboard the research vessel via coaxial tether or remotely on the seafloor in a self-contained package. If necessary the data module from the seafloor package can be released independently and recovered on the surface. This paper describes the engineering specifications of SEABASS, the tests that were carried out, and preliminary results from an actual deep sea deployment. VLF ambient noise levels beneath the seafloor acquired on the Low Frequency Acoustic-Seismic Experiment (LFASE) are within 20 dB of levels from previous seafloor borehole seismic experiments and from land borehole measurements. The ambient noise observed on LFASE decreases by up to 12 dB in the upper 100 m of the seafloor in a sedimentary environment.     

SPECIAL FEATURE OF UNDERWATER AMBIENT NOISE IN NORTHERN HUANGHAI SEA AND ITS DEPENDENCE ON WIND SPEED

The local special feature of underwater ambient noise in the northern Huanghai sea has been investigated. The results obtained from the analysis of data measured for six days and nights have shown that the time-varying characterization of ambient noise spectrum level is remarkable and its fluctuation at every analyzed frequency band presents an equiform periodicity varying with time synchronously. The dependence of average ambient sea noise spectrum level on logarithmic wind speed within the middle range (16-30 knot) appears in "V" form.The current Crouch's conclusion (1972) has been developed by us to be a mathematical model based on the segment correlation regression. Using this model to describe and expain the characterization of local ambient sea noise is available.     

Noise source level density due to surf. II. Duck, NC

For pt.I see ibid., vol.22, no.3, p.425-33 (1997). Ambient noise measurements collected off the coast of Duck, NC, were used in conjunction with modeled transmission loss (TL) and estimated ambient noise due to wave-breaking to generate estimates of spectral source level densities (per meter of surf zone) of surf-generated ambient noise. Estimates of both continuous (local) and discrete (distant) components of noise intensity due to breaking waves were subtracted from the total measured noise field in order to determine the contribution of the noise from the surf zone. Data for two days, representing high sea-state conditions, are presented. Estimated noise source level densities for heavy surf at Duck, NC, varied from 120 to 125 dB re 1 μPa/Hz^1/2/m at 200 Hz to 90-100 dB re 1 μPa/Hz^1/2 /m at 900 Hz, with a slope of -5 dB per octave. Results compare well with previous surf noise studies conducted in Monterey Bay as reported in the companion paper by Wilson et al     

Vertical Directionality of Midfrequency Surface Noise in Downward-Refracting Environments

The vertical directionality of ambient noise due to surface agitation for frequencies between 2 and 5 kHz propagated to a subsurface receiver has a characteristic shape, knowledge of which may enhance shallow-water operations. In general, the noise level is highest at upward-looking angles and attenuated at downward-looking angles depending on the nature of the bottom. In environments with a negative profile gradient, the noise level is also greatly reduced in a low-angle shadow zone or "notch" at angles around horizontal. This paper reviews the character of vertical noise directionality by examining two measured data sets and considering the underlying physical mechanisms that drive the form of the distribution. A discussion of the implications of vertical noise directionality for design and operation of receiving sonar systems is presented. In particular, the effect of mainlobe beamwidth and sidelobe suppression are considered along with the directionality of the noise field. Finally, an overview of the derivation of a vertical noise model based on the integrated mode method of propagation prediction is followed by model reproduction of measurements.     

星载微波散射计海面风场与海洋环境噪声的相关特性分析

根据海洋环境噪声机理及风关噪声已有的研究成果,提出利用星载微波散射计反演的海面风场数据进行海洋环境噪声分析,并对HY-2A和ASCAT数据与噪声谱级的相关性进行了对比分析。选取南海海域作为研究区,利用潜标测量系统获取的噪声数据和多源散射计风场数据开展了相关实验,并采用NCEP海面风场数据进行对比分析。结果表明,ASCAT数据与噪声的相关性优于HY-2A,散射计数据优于NCEP数据,散射计风场更适合海洋环境噪声的分析研究。该研究内容拓展了微波散射计风场数据的应用领域,并为海洋环境噪声研究提供了更好的技术手段。     

极低频海洋噪声与风的相关性研究

风通过影响海洋表面从而产生200 Hz以上的深海环境噪声,但有研究指出,通过风生表面波之间的非线性相互作用产生的驻波,能够与海床共振构成海底微震,从而产生10 Hz以下的噪声。针对这一新型风生噪声机制,本研究对威克岛海域10 Hz以下的极低频噪声进行了分析。比较了不同频率下海洋环境噪声功率谱级与风速的相关性,并讨论了风速和风向对设立在威克岛南北部二组水听器三联体信号的影响,结果表明2 Hz处的海洋环境噪声级与风速相关性最好,而风速和风向变化越剧烈海洋环境极低频噪声与风速风向的相关性越好。     

The analysis of beach profile changes using Dean's method and empirical orthogonal functions

Sea bottom changes in the cross-shore direction have been analysed. The cross-shore profile, as a major factor of beach configuration, has been presented schematically as a superposition of a basic curve reflecting the mean layout and slope of the shore given by Dean's function and superimposed various bars, troughs, berms, etc. depicting local characteristic features of the profile.The local features of the profile have been analysed by use of one- (1-D) and two-dimensional (2-D) empirical orthogonal functions.On the basis of field observations and measurements the parameter A has been presented as a function of time. Three time scales have been distinguished (short, seasonal and long-term) with respect to which more or less regular changes of the parameter A occur. The modified parameter A was applied to two different field sites, namly Lubiatowo, Baltic Sea (Poland) and Gold Beach, Black Sea (Bulgaria). It has been found that in extreme cases the parameter A can vary in time by a factor of two, or more, for the same grain size distribution.     

Variation of underwater ambient noise observed at IORS station as a pilot study

The Ieodo Ocean Research Station(IORS) is an integrated meteorological and oceanographic observation base which was constructed on the Ieodo underwater rock located at a distance of about 150 km to the south-west of the Mara-do, the southernmost island in Korea. The underwater ambient noise level observed at the IORS was similar to the results of the shallow water surrounding the Korean Peninsula (Choi et al. 2003) and was higher than that of deep ocean (Wenz 1962). The wind dependence of ambient noise was dominant at frequencies of a few kHz. The surface current dependence of ambient noise showed good correlation with the ambient noise in the frequency of 10 kHz. Especially, the shrimp sound was estimated through investigations of waveform and spectrum and its main acoustic energy was about 40 dB larger than ambient noise level at 5 kHz.     

南海某海域海洋环境噪声谱级风关特性分析

为探索南海某区域海洋环境噪声谱级与风场的相关特性,结合潜标海洋环境噪声数据及对应海域的海面风场再分析数据,计算各频段噪声级与风速相关系数及线性拟合函数。分析结果表明:400～1 000 Hz频段,海洋环境噪声谱级与海面风速的相关系数在0.5～0.8之间,达到中等相关。1 000～5 000 Hz频段,两者互相关系数大于0.8,达到高度相关。对海洋环境噪声谱级与对数风速的回归分析结果显示,1000～5 000 Hz频段,两者的线性函数关系显著;并且在1 000 Hz附近的拟合斜率最大,海洋环境噪声谱级对海面风速变化的灵敏度最高。     

Rain measurement on buoys using hydrophones

The impact of rain and spray on the ocean disturbs the sea surface and generates underwater ambient noise. The short scale roughness is influenced by impacting drops due to the momentum transfer. Radar and sonar signals are scattered by the short elements of the sea surface. Spray and rain impact change their characteristics, and consequently affect radar and sonar backscatter. In situ measurements of rain and spray impact are necessary to study their effects on the sea surface. Accurate sea measurements of rain momentum fluxes and drop size distributions are a complex problem, especially on buoys. A new measuring technique has been developed using hydrophones. Exposed to precipitation, these instruments are affected directly by the impact of rain. A drop falling on the hydrophone deforms its surface and is sensed by a piezoelectric transducer. The voltage output of the sensor is a rapidly decaying oscillation. The integral value of this signal is a measure of the drop momentum, and the drop size can be deduced. Laboratory studies of defined drops as well as field measurements of natural rain have shown that hydrophones can be used to determine drop momentums and drop size distributions. Based on simultaneous rain measurements by a Joss-Waldvogel Disdrometer and a hydrophone, an analytical function has been derived which relates drop size and hydrophone voltage output     

Noise source level density due to surf. I. Monterey Bay, CA

Ambient noise measurements made in Monterey Bay, CA, in 1981 were reduced by estimations of wave-breaking noise and the residual noise was combined with modeled transmission loss (TL) to estimate the spectral source level of surf-generated noise. A Hamilton geoacoustic model of the coastal environment was derived and used in a finite-element parabolic equation propagation-loss model to obtain TL values. Estimates of both the continuous, or local, and discrete components of wave-breaking noise intensity were subtracted from the total measured noise field to determine the contribution due to surf only. Surf breaking on a uniform 12.5-km linear section of beach near Ft. Ord was found to be the dominant source of surf-generated noise. Estimated noise source level densities for heavy surf at Ft. Ord beach varied from 138 dB ref. 1 μPa Hz^-1/2 m at 1 m from the source at 50 Hz to 107 dB at 1 kHz, with a slope of about -5 dB per octave. Although these results must be considered as preliminary, since they are based on a small number of measurements, they may he useful for prediction of ambient noise in other littoral regions     

Sequential Filtering for Surface Wind Speed Estimation from Ambient Noise Measurement

Many research results show that ocean ambient noise and wind speed are highly relevant, and the surface wind speed can be effectively inverted using ocean noise data. In most deep-sea cases, the ambient noise of medium frequency is mainly determined by the surface wind, and there is a conventional relationship between them. This paper gives an equation which shows this relationship firstly, and then a surface-wind inversion method is proposed. An efficient particle filter is used to estimate the speed distribution, and the results exhibit more focused close to the actual wind speed. The method is verified by the measured noise data, and analysis results showed that this approach can accurately give the trend of sea surface wind speed.     

海底、海面的边界反射对浅海环境噪声场的影响

关于海洋噪声谱级的理论,测量和分析以及相应噪声源的机理探讨已经有大量的工作;例如Knudson[6];EcKarf[2];Weng[10]和Piyyof[7]的工作.文〔1〕采用分层介质中的传播算子,推广了EcKarf的工作,建立了一般情况下由源特性及传播算子所表达的噪声场表示.目前关于传播条件--在浅海中特别是海底的反射特性--对环境噪声场特性的影响还较少有具体的结果.     

Large aperture digital acoustic array

A digital array of 120 acoustic channels 900 m in length has been constructed to study low-frequency (20-200 Hz) ambient noise in the ocean. The array may be deployed vertically or horizontally from the research platform FLIP and the array elements are localized with a high-frequency acoustic transponder network. The authors describe the instrumentation, telemetry, and navigation systems of the array during a vertical deployment in the northeast Pacific. Preliminary ambient noise spectra are presented for various array depths and local wind speeds. Ambient noise in the frequency band above 100 Hz or below 25 Hz increases with local wind speed. However, in the frequency band 25-100 Hz, ambient noise is independent of wind speed and may be dominated by shipping sources     

海上航船分布及其对海洋环境噪声的影响

当代水下目标探测向低频远程发展,海洋环境噪声的低频特性倍受关注,航船噪声是海洋中的主要低频噪声源。近几十年来,海上航运量迅速增长,导致海洋环境低频噪声大幅升高,增加了海洋环境的噪声污染。本文依据港口进出航船信息库和船舶自动识别技术数据库资料,分析历史航船分布数据,依据获得的某开阔海域航船分布规律,建立数值模型估计了航船噪声源对低频海洋环境噪声特征的影响。结果表明,日进、出港的航船数近似满足正态分布,近海开阔海域单位面积、单位时间内的航船数近似满足泊松分布;由于海上航船的影响,海洋环境噪声强度呈明显的水平非均匀分布状态。