Detection of oil-derivative contamination of water surfaces by statistical analysis of scattered acoustical signals

The statistical distribution of the amplitude of the acoustical signal scattered by a water surface undulated by an air stream was studied under laboratory conditions. The surface was covered with layers of oil substances of different physical properties. Statistical parameters of the distribution were determined as functions of the speed of the air stream and the thickness of the oil layer. Values of the obtained parameters differ from those expected for the scattering on the surface of clean water. Simultaneous analysis of all the statistical parameters could be a starting point for determining the weight fraction of the given substance and its thickness.