In situ and laboratory acoustic attenuation measured in the sediments of the southern Yellow Sea

Acoustic attenuation directly determines sound propagation distance in seafloor sediments. Moreover, by studying the attenuation law of sound propagation in sediments, much information about sediment properties can be obtained. In June 2009 and June 2010, in situ measurements of acoustic attenuation at 30 kHz were made in the sediments of the southern Yellow Sea. Meanwhile, sediment cores were collected and laboratory measurements of acoustic attenuation between 25 and 250 kHz and physical properties were conducted. We compared in situ and laboratory attenuation measured in the sediments and analyzed the differences. The frequency dependence of acoustic attenuation of silt, silty clay, and clay is discussed on the basis of laboratory measurements. Combining with sediment physical properties, we analyzed the acoustic attenuation mechanism of silt, silty clay, and clay.