Mechanism of sound propagation in seawater

Sound wave similar to other mechanical waves needs an environment to propagate. Speed of sound wave is about 331.4 (m/s) in air and this value is between 4.5 to 5 times the above value for seawater. Speed of sound in salt sea water depends on temperature, salinity and pressure. Sound propagation in seawater has many applications such as preparing photos of bottom topography, hydrography and appointing the water properties in sea (temperature, salinity, and so on ) etc. It has applications in fisheries, marine mapping, navy force, shipping and other researches and marine activities too. Propagation of sound pulses and signals and variations of sound speed in salt sea water follow the acoustical wave equation. In this paper, mechanical mechanism of sound propagation underwater in Pacific Ocean.