Springer Handbook of Acoustics


Book Description

This is an unparalleled modern handbook reflecting the richly interdisciplinary nature of acoustics edited by an acknowledged master in the field. The handbook reviews the most important areas of the subject, with emphasis on current research. The authors of the various chapters are all experts in their fields. Each chapter is richly illustrated with figures and tables. The latest research and applications are incorporated throughout, including computer recognition and synthesis of speech, physiological acoustics, diagnostic imaging and therapeutic applications and acoustical oceanography. An accompanying CD-ROM contains audio and video files.




High-Frequency Seafloor Acoustics


Book Description

This book is a research monograph on high-Frequency Seafloor Acoustics. It is the first book in a new series sponsored by the Office of Naval Research on the latest research in underwater acoustics. It provides a critical evaluation of the data and models pertaining to high-frequency acoustic interaction with the seafloor, which will be of interest to researchers in underwater acoustics and to developers of sonars. Models and data are presented so as to be readily usable, backed up by extensive explanation. Much of the data is new, and the discussion in on two levels: concise descriptions in the main text backed up by extensive technical appendices.




Ocean Noise and Marine Mammals


Book Description

For the 119 species of marine mammals, as well as for some other aquatic animals, sound is the primary means of learning about the environment and of communicating, navigating, and foraging. The possibility that human-generated noise could harm marine mammals or significantly interfere with their normal activities is an issue of increasing concern. Noise and its potential impacts have been regulated since the passage of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. Public awareness of the issue escalated in 1990s when researchers began using high-intensity sound to measure ocean climate changes. More recently, the stranding of beaked whales in proximity to Navy sonar use has again put the issue in the spotlight. Ocean Noise and Marine Mammals reviews sources of noise in the ocean environment, what is known of the responses of marine mammals to acoustic disturbance, and what models exist for describing ocean noise and marine mammal responses. Recommendations are made for future data gathering efforts, studies of marine mammal behavior and physiology, and modeling efforts necessary to determine what the long- and short-term impacts of ocean noise on marine mammals.




Acoustic Sensing Techniques for the Shallow Water Environment


Book Description

This volume contains the collection of papers from the second workshop on Experimental Acoustic Inversion Techniques for Exploration of the Shallow Water Environment. Acoustic techniques provide the most effective means for remote sensing of ocean and sea floor processes, and for probing the structure beneath the sea floor. No other energy propagates as efficiently in the ocean: radio waves and visible light are severely limited in range because the ocean is a highly conductive medium. However, sound from breaking waves and coastal shipping can be heard throughout the ocean, and marine mammals communicate acoustically over basin scale distances. The papers in this book indicate a high level of research interest that has generated significant progress in development and application of experimental acoustic inversion techniques. The applications span a broad scope in geosciences, from geophysical, biological and even geochemical research. The list includes: estimation of geotechnical properties of sea bed materials; navigation and mapping of the sea floor; fisheries, aquaculture and sea bed habitat assessment; monitoring of marine mammals; sediment transport; and investigation of natural geohazards in marine sediments. Audience This book is primarily intended for physicists and engineers working in underwater acoustics and oceanic engineering. It will also be of interest to marine biologists, geophysicists and oceanographers as potential users of the methodologies and techniques described in the book contributions.




Fundamentals of Shallow Water Acoustics


Book Description

Shallow water acoustics (SWA), the study of how low and medium frequency sound propagates and scatters on the continental shelves of the worlds oceans, has both technical interest and a large number of practical applications. Technically, shallow water poses an interesting medium for the study of acoustic scattering, inverse theory, and propagation physics in a complicated oceanic waveguide. Practically, shallow water acoustics has interest for geophysical exploration, marine mammal studies, and naval applications. Additionally, one notes the very interdisciplinary nature of shallow water acoustics, including acoustical physics, physical oceanography, marine geology, and marine biology. In this specialized volume the authors, all of whom have extensive at-sea experience in US and Russian research efforts, have tried to summarize the main experimental, theoretical, and computational results in shallow water acoustics, with an emphasis on providing physical insight into the topics presented.




Applied Underwater Acoustics


Book Description

Applied Underwater Acoustics meets the needs of scientists and engineers working in underwater acoustics and graduate students solving problems in, and preparing theses on, topics in underwater acoustics. The book is structured to provide the basis for rapidly assimilating the essential underwater acoustic knowledge base for practical application to daily research and analysis. Each chapter of the book is self-supporting and focuses on a single topic and its relation to underwater acoustics. The chapters start with a brief description of the topic's physical background, necessary definitions, and a short description of the applications, along with a roadmap to the chapter. The subtopics covered within individual subchapters include most frequently used equations that describe the topic. Equations are not derived, rather, assumptions behind equations and limitations on the applications of each equation are emphasized. Figures, tables, and illustrations related to the sub-topic are presented in an easy-to-use manner, and examples on the use of the equations, including appropriate figures and tables are also included. - Provides a complete and up-to-date treatment of all major subjects of underwater acoustics - Presents chapters written by recognized experts in their individual field - Covers the fundamental knowledge scientists and engineers need to solve problems in underwater acoustics - Illuminates, in shorter sub-chapters, the modern applications of underwater acoustics that are described in worked examples - Demands no prior knowledge of underwater acoustics, and the physical principles and mathematics are designed to be readily understood by scientists, engineers, and graduate students of underwater acoustics - Includes a comprehensive list of literature references for each chapter




Experimental Acoustic Inversion Methods for Exploration of the Shallow Water Environment


Book Description

In recent years, research on acoustic remote sensing of the ocean has evolved considerably, especially in studying complex physical and biological processes in shallow water environments. To review the state of the art, an international workshop was held at Carvoeiro, Portugal, in March 1999, bringing together leading international researchers in the field. In contrast to much of the recent theoretical work, emphasis was placed on the experimental validation of the techniques. This volume, based on presentations at this workshop, summarizes a range of diverse and innovative applications. The invited contributions explore the use of acoustics to measure bottom properties and morphology, as well as to probe buried objects within the sediment. Within the water column, sound is applied to imaging of oceanographic features such as currents and tides or monitoring of marine life. Another key theme is the use of sound to solve geometric inverse problems for precise tracking of undersea vehicles. Audience: This volume should be useful both to the novice seeking an introduction to the field and to advanced researchers interested in the latest developments in acoustic sensing of the ocean environment. The workshop was sponsored by the Fundação para a Ciêcia e a Tecnologia (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology).




An Introduction to Underwater Acoustics


Book Description

Presented in a clear and concise way as an introductory text and practical handbook, the book provides the basic physical phenomena governing underwater acoustical waves, propagation, reflection, target backscattering and noise. It covers the general features of sonar systems, transducers and arrays, signal processing and performance evaluation. It provides an overview of today's applications, presenting the working principles of the various systems. From the reviews: "Presented in a clear and concise way as an introductory text and practical handbook, the book provides the basic physical phenomena governing underwater acoustical waves, propagation, reflection, target backscattering and noise. ⦠It provides an overview of todayâs applications, presenting the working principles of the various systems." (Oceanis, Vol. 27 (3-4), 2003) "This book is a general survey of Underwater Acoustics, intended to make the subject âas easily accessible as possible, with a clear emphasis on applications.â In this the author has succeeded, with a wide variety of subjects presented with minimal derivation ⦠. There is an emphasis on technology and on intuitive physical explanation ⦠." (Darrell R. Jackson, Journal of the Acoustic Society of America, Vol. 115 (2), February, 2004) "This is an exciting new scientific publication. It is timely and welcome ⦠. Furthermore, it is up to date and readable. It is well researched, excellently published and ranks with earlier books in this discipline ⦠. Many persons in the marine science field including acousticians, hydrographers, oceanographers, fisheries scientists, engineers, educators, students ⦠and equipment manufacturers will benefit greatly by reading all or part of this text. The author is to be congratulated on his fine contribution ⦠." (Stephen B. MacPhee, International Hydrographic Review, Vol. 4 (2), 2003)




Ambient Noise in the Sea


Book Description