Abstract
Measurements of the levels of bottom scattering strength have been made at a frequency of 2 kHz for grazing angles between 5° and 40° in the NE Atlantic and Mediterranean and lie in the range from −16 to −35 dB. The scattering strength was observed to rise with grazing angle from 5° to 30° and fall again from 30° to 40°. A simple model was fitted to the data which explained the peak at 30° in terms of the Rayleigh reflection coefficient and also enabled an estimate of the rms bottom slope to be obtained. High levels of backscatter were found in Abyssal Plains together with low rms bottom slopes, whereas rougher areas exhibited lower scattering strengths, higher rms bottom slopes and less variation of scattering strength with grazing angle. The absorption of energy into the sea bed has been put forward as a possible explanation for this relationship.
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