The compressional wave and physical properties of inter-tidal marine sediments

Abstract

New quadratic regression equations for inter-tidal sediments are presented, which relate compressional wave properties (velocity ratio and proportionality constant) to porosity, bulk density and mean grain size. The compressional wave properties were derived from compressional wave velocities and attenuation coefficients measured on inter-tidal sediments from 16 - 100 kHz using common experimental and processing techniques. The regression equations are more robust for velocity ratio than proportionality constant. Discrepancies between the new regression equations and those derived for submerged sediments support the conclusion that the sediment structure of inter-tidal sediments differs from that of submerged sediments. This is attributed to the different physical processes which govern the supply, deposition and dynamics of the sediment in each environment