Measurements of Backscattering of Sound from the Ocean Bottom

Data obtained from the measurement of backscattering of sound from the ocean bottom at 16 locations around the coast of the United States of America are presented. Data are given as a function of grazing angle and frequency for mud, sand, and gravel. The range of frequency was 12.5 to 290 kc/sec and the range of grazing angle was 1.0° to 90°. Backscattering increased with grazing angle according to the sin and sin2, depending on the value of angle and the type of sediment. Backscattering increased with frequency according to the 1.6 power for some locations. It is concluded that a knowledge of the particle structure of the bottom is useful in estimating the reverberation level.