Sound absorption in sea water

Abstract

An equation is presented for sound absorption in sea water as a function of frequency, temperature, and pressure based on laboratory data. The equation includes contributions to absorption due to boric acid, magnesium sulfate, and water. The effect of pressure on sound absorption due to magnesium sulfate and water has been treated differently than in the Schulkin and Marsh equation. At 4°C our results for absorption at frequencies from 10–400 kHz and pressures up to 500 atm are substantially lower than those calculated from the Schulkin and Marsh equation.