Remote acoustic monitoring of natural suspensate distributions, active suspensate resuspension, and slope/shelf water intrusions

Abstract

Acoustic data, transmissometer data, and calculations are presented which indicate that high-frequency acoustic backscattering systems can become a valuable tool in the remote monitoring of suspended particle distributions and active resuspension areas. Data are also presented which show that acoustic backscattering systems can be used to remotely detect slope/shelf water frontal zones. Towed acoustic systems should be able to map the extent of the frontal zone and add significantly to the understanding of frontal zone processes.