Acoustic Subbottom Sediment Reflections: Synthesized Responses from Core Parameter Profiles Compared with Observed Broadband Reflection Responses

A model for the acoustic response of a sedimentary ocean subbottom to pulse type excitation is detailed, which accommodates gradients of sound velocity and of density in the depth coordinate. Effects of spherical spreading, and of frequency and depth dependent attenuation are also included, the latter by a novel intepretation of the depth dependence as the response of a depth-varying linear filter. Synthesised responses, using parameter values from subbottom cores, are compared with the acoustic responses from the vicinity of the core stations.