Environmental acoustic modeling of the acoustic observatory site and implications for the performance of adaptive beamformers

This paper summarizes environmental acoustic models and propagation results developed by the Acoustic Testbed Working Group during the selection and evaluation of the proposed Acoustic Observatory site. This includes a discussion on selection criteria and comparison with other sites. Acoustic modeling will demonstrate potential propagation characteristic of the proposed site due to: (1) the effect of shear conversion in substrate limestone and its dependence on sediment thickness, (2) seasonal variations in water column properties, as well as incursions of the Gulf Stream, and (3) bottom slope and roughness. These effects are demonstrated for both suspended and bottomed arrays.