Shallow water acoustics (SWA), the study of how low and medium frequency sound propagates and scatters on the continental shelves of the worlds oceans, has both technical interest and a large number of practical applications. Technically, shallow water poses an interesting medium for the study of acoustic scattering, inverse theory, and propagation physics in a complicated oceanic waveguide. Practically, shallow water acoustics has interest for geophysical exploration, marine mammal studies, and naval applications. Additionally, one notes the very interdisciplinary nature of shallow water acoustics, including acoustical physics, physical oceanography, marine geology, and marine biology. In this specialized volume the authors, all of whom have extensive at-sea experience in US and Russian research efforts, have tried to summarize the main experimental, theoretical, and computational results in shallow water acoustics, with an emphasis on providing physical insight into the topics presented.

Shallow water acoustics (SWA), the study of how low and medium frequency sound propagates and scatters on the continental shelves of the worlds oceans, has both technical interest and a large number of practical applications. Technically, shallow water poses an interesting medium for the study of acoustic scattering, inverse theory, and propagation physics in a complicated oceanic waveguide. Practically, shallow water acoustics has interest for geophysical exploration, marine mammal studies, and naval applications. Additionally, one notes the very interdisciplinary nature of shallow water acoustics, including acoustical physics, physical oceanography, marine geology, and marine biology. In this specialized volume the authors, all of whom have extensive at-sea experience in US and Russian research efforts, have tried to summarize the main experimental, theoretical, and computational results in shallow water acoustics, with an emphasis on providing physical insight into the topics presented.

The objective of this book is to present the main theoretical approaches and models in shallow water acoustics as well as different experimental results. The focus is primarily concentrated on physical results describing the sound field in wave length. The authors show dynamic phenomena (tides, internal waves) from the perspective of acoustic influence as well as the scattering of sound over the macroscopic body in shallow water waveguide. The method of acoustic probing can be used by physicists, geophysicists, geologists and oceanographers.

This volume contains the collection of papers from the second workshop on Experimental Acoustic Inversion Techniques for Exploration of the Shallow Water Environment. Acoustic techniques provide the most effective means for remote sensing of ocean and sea floor processes, and for probing the structure beneath the sea floor. No other energy propagates as efficiently in the ocean: radio waves and visible light are severely limited in range because the ocean is a highly conductive medium. However, sound from breaking waves and coastal shipping can be heard throughout the ocean, and marine mammals communicate acoustically over basin scale distances. The papers in this book indicate a high level of research interest that has generated significant progress in development and application of experimental acoustic inversion techniques. The applications span a broad scope in geosciences, from geophysical, biological and even geochemical research. The list includes: estimation of geotechnical properties of sea bed materials; navigation and mapping of the sea floor; fisheries, aquaculture and sea bed habitat assessment; monitoring of marine mammals; sediment transport; and investigation of natural geohazards in marine sediments. Audience This book is primarily intended for physicists and engineers working in underwater acoustics and oceanic engineering. It will also be of interest to marine biologists, geophysicists and oceanographers as potential users of the methodologies and techniques described in the book contributions.

In recent years, research on acoustic remote sensing of the ocean has evolved considerably, especially in studying complex physical and biological processes in shallow water environments. To review the state of the art, an international workshop was held at Carvoeiro, Portugal, in March 1999, bringing together leading international researchers in the field. In contrast to much of the recent theoretical work, emphasis was placed on the experimental validation of the techniques. This volume, based on presentations at this workshop, summarizes a range of diverse and innovative applications. The invited contributions explore the use of acoustics to measure bottom properties and morphology, as well as to probe buried objects within the sediment. Within the water column, sound is applied to imaging of oceanographic features such as currents and tides or monitoring of marine life. Another key theme is the use of sound to solve geometric inverse problems for precise tracking of undersea vehicles. Audience: This volume should be useful both to the novice seeking an introduction to the field and to advanced researchers interested in the latest developments in acoustic sensing of the ocean environment. The workshop was sponsored by the Fundação para a Ciêcia e a Tecnologia (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology).