Analysis and model/data comparison of broadband acoustic propagation at the Atlantic Generating Station (AGS) site

An investigation of broadband acoustic propagation in a shallow-water environment is performed by comparing experimental acoustic data [Badiey et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 96, 3593-3604 (1994)] with results from a frequency-domain, high-order parabolic equation technique. The principal quantity examined, transmission loss versus frequency, is determined for fixed source/receiver positions over short ranges (approximate to 0.5 km) corresponding to experimental configurations. High-resolution geoacoustic data from extensive coring of the site, along with CTD and detailed bathymetric data, are used to construct accurate range-dependent input for PE simulations and range-varying wave number spectra calculations. Generally very good agreement between the PE results and data are observed. Range-dependent mechanisms are seen to have a strong azimuthal dependence in both TL and wave number results for this site. Shear losses are considered by exploiting equivalent fluid relationships. The effects of sediment dispersion through frequency dependent sound speed are also examined. (C) 1997 Acoustical Society of America.