COMPARISON OF HIGH-RESOLUTION SEISMIC PROFILES AND THE GEOACOUSTIC PROPERTIES OF ECKERNFORDE BAY SEDIMENTS

High-resolution seismic profiles of Eckernforde Bay and the adjacent B altic Sea were collected, and the geoacoustic properties of sediments there were measured. Bulk densities averaged similar to 1.35 g cm(-3) and ranged from similar to 1.2 to similar to 1.7 g cm(-3). Compression al wave velocities in gas-free sediments averaged similar to 1460 m s( -1) and ranged from similar to 1425 to similar to 1555 m s(-1). In non gassy sediments, bulk density variations typically controlled changes of acoustic impedance. Impedance changes were usually too small and cl osely spaced to be resolved seismically, although, at certain sites, s ignificant impedance changes are far apart enough that they correlate one-to-one with seismic reflectors. Where free gas is present, velocit y decreases and wave energy is scattered, causing a prominent seismic reflector.