Author(s): Andy Smerdon; A. Dominic Van Der; Tom O’Donoghue
Linked Author(s): Dominic van der A
Keywords: Coustic backscatter; Particle size; Settling velocity; Turbulence
Abstract: Measurement and analysis of the intensity of acoustic backscatter from suspended sediment is an established observation technique. The use of multiple frequencies can provide sufficient information to derive profiles of mean particle size and suspended load over depth (Thorne and Hanes, 2002). Commercial instruments exist to measure and interpret multi-frequency acoustic backscatter from suspended sediments, including the AQUAscat® 1000 instrument from Aquatec (Smerdon and Caine, 2007). We describe recent advances in the AQUAscat technology, including improved dynamic range and enhanced signal processing capability, and present the first experimental results from this new generation of suspended sediment profiler.
Year: 2024