Research on acoustic detection parameters for bubble plume in cold seeps

Acoustic detection is an important method for investigation of cold seep bubble plumes. On the basis of acoustic theory, this paper studies the influence of three detection parameters on the bubble plume acoustic detection and imaging, i.e. the emission frequency, the transmitting power, and the width of the pulse (pulse duration) of the CW sonic pulse signal. The principles and ranges for selection of the acoustic detection parameters are further clarified with the data from field investigation and simulation experiment of cold seep at the Laotieshan water channel at the border between the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea. In order to reduce the abnormal interference bands in the acoustic water section, the authors proposed a method to eliminate the interference band in the acoustic profile by changing the time delay of pulse emission. It is proved that the method is effective to further optimize the acoustic detection and imaging for the detection of bubble plume of cold seep.