Relationship between in situ sound velocity and granular characteristics of seafloor sediments in the Qingdao offshore region

Abstract

The sound velocity of seafloor sediments from shallow seas can provide important information for harbor design, and ocean and seacoast engineering projects. In this study, in situ measurements were used to obtain accurate sediment sound velocities at 45 stations offshore of Qingdao. The relationships between the sound velocity and granular properties of the seafloor sediments were analyzed. Sound velocity showed an increase with the sand content, sand-clay ratio, and sorting coefficient; and a nonlinear decreasing trend with increasing mean grain size and clay content. We plotted a sound velocity distribution map, which shows that the sound velocity was closely related to the geological environment. Previous empirical equations suggested by Hamilton, Anderson, and Liu were used to calculate the velocity with grain size. A comparison between the measured and calculated velocities indicates that the empirical equations have territorial limitations, and extensive data are essential to establish global empirical equations. Future work includes the calibration of the laboratory acoustic measurements with an in situ technique.