Variability in High Frequency Acoustic Backscattering in the Water Column

Abstract

High-frequency acoustic backscattering in the water column is highly variable in both space and time. We present selected results from a program designed to address the origin of this variability. There are many naturally occurring processes in the water column, of both physical and biological origin, that give rise to acoustic backscattering. The naturally occurring spatial and temporal variability of these physical and biological processes contribute significantly to variability in acoustic backscatter. In addition, there is uncertainty associated with identifying and obtaining high-resolution information of the physical and biological parameters that contribute to volume scattering. Uncertainty in predicting volume scattering also arises from possible inaccuracies of the scattering models, as well as variability due to speckle. Emphasis is given here to identifying the model parameters with the highest degree of uncertainty.