Active rapid geoacoustic characterization using a seismic survey source

A survey of received acoustic energy levels from a seismic profiler were performed in Long Beach Harbor, CA, for compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). In addition to direct acoustic measurements, a rapid geoacoustic inversion algorithm was applied to the data to estimate the sediment properties acoustically. This inversion algorithm has matching criteria based on time spread, range-frequency interference patterns, and the range dependence of transmission loss. Self-consistency was checked by comparing acoustic measurements with predictions based on the inversion. With an estimated geoacoustic profile, predictions of received levels as a function of position in the range-dependent environment of Long Beach Harbor were then performed.