Overview of SAX99: Environmental considerations

A 1-km(2) area located 2 km off the Florida Panhandle (30 degrees 22.6'N; 8 6 degrees 38.7'W) was selected as the site to conduct high-frequency acoust ic seafloor penetration, sediment propagation, and bottom scattering experi ments [1]. Side scan, multibeam, and normal incidence chirp acoustic survey s as well as subsequent video surveys, diver observations, and vibra coring , indicate a uniform distribution of surficial and subbottom seafloor chara cteristics within the area. The site, in 18-19 m of water, is characterized by 1-2-m-thick fine-to-medium clean sand and meets the logistic and scient ific requirements specified for the acoustic experiments. This paper provid es a preliminary summary of the meteorological, oceanographic, and seafloor conditions found during the experiments and describes the important physic al and biological processes that control the spatial distribution and tempo ral changes in these characteristics.