On compressional wave attenuation in muddy marine sediments

A method for measuring in situ compressional wave attenuation exploiting the spectral decay of reflection coefficient Bragg resonances is applied to fine-grained sediments New England Mud Patch. Measurements layer-averaged a 10.3 m mud layer yield 0.04 {0.03, 0.055} dB/m/kHz (braces indicate outer bounds); twice as large at site with 3.2 thickness. It shown that both results are heavily influenced by ∼1 sand-mud transition interval created geological and biological processes mix sand (at base mud) into mud. Informed observations, it appears spatial dependence across Patch can be predicted accounting via simple scaling. Further, ubiquity form suggests scaling may any muddy continental shelf. In principle, predictions littoral environments could substantively improved modest amount geologic biologic information.