Blending underwater acoustics and acoustical oceanography Free

Acoustical oceanography, which is the use of sound to probe ocean processes, had been in practice for many years before Hank Medwin spearheaded the creation of the ASA Acoustical Oceanography Technical Committee (AOTC). It has blossomed since that time, aided by interactions fostered by AOTC activities. The differences between acoustical oceanography and underwater acoustics are subtle and may not exist rigorously, particularly when propagation and scattering processes are exploited. However, the different foci of the two groups and the wealth of topics to be explored and researched each support the notion of two ASA groups devoted to ocean acoustics. In a similar fashion, AOTC interactions with many other committees foster progress. A review will be given of how underwater sound generation, propagation, and scattering knowledge, fundamental to UW, have been turned around to investigate the ocean, with a focus on work since the creation of the AOTC. Current trends in expeditionary oceanography and persistent monitoring will be covered, as well as the potential role of acoustics in future ocean observatory systems.