Studies of the ocean-bottom reflection coefficient at angles of total internal reflection

Abstract

For practical-purpose studies in underwater acoustics, a new method is proposed to determine the bottom reflection coefficient on the basis of multiple bottom-surface reflections. The method allows one to obtain the angular dependence of the bottom reflection coefficient at grazing angles from several degrees to several tens of degrees in the audio and infrasonic frequency bands. The sound field structure is studied in deep-water regions of the Black (2000 m) and Arabian (4000 m) seas at frequencies within 10–400 Hz. For the regions under investigation, the frequency-angular dependence of the reflection coefficient is obtained with the use of the proposed method. The data for the Black Sea are compared with those provided by the conventional method based on the use of single and double bottom and bottom-surface reflections. Experimental data on the values and variations of the bottom reflection coefficient are presented for different deepwater and shallow-water regions of the World Ocean. The presence of shear waves in the bottom sediments is revealed, and the effect of these waves on the frequency-angular dependence of the reflection coefficient is demonstrated.