Fluctuation of 400-Hz sound intensity in the 2001 ASIAEX South China Sea experiment

Abstract

We present analyses of fluctuations seen in acoustic signals transmitted by two 400-Hz sources moored as part of the ASIAEX 2001 South China Sea (SCS) experiment. One source was near the bottom in 350-m deep water 31.3 km offshore from the receiving array, and the other was near the bottom in 135-m deep water 20.6 km alongshore from the array. Time series of signal intensity measured at individual phones of a 16-element vertical line array are analyzed, as well as time series of intensity averaged over the array. Signals were recorded from 2 May to 17 May 2001. Fluctuations were observed at periods ranging from subtidal (days) to the shortest periods resolved with our signaling (10 s). Short-period fluctuations of depth- and time-averaged intensity have scintillation indexes (computed within 3-h long windows) which peak at values near 0.5 during an interval of numerous high-amplitude internal gravity waves, and which are lower during intervals with fewer internal waves. The decorrelation times of the averaged intensity (energy level) are also closely related to internal wave properties. Scintillation indexes computed for unaveraged pulses arriving at individual phones often exceed unity.