Multifrequency acoustical volume backscattering patterns in the Arabian Sea--265 kHz to 3 MHz

High-frequency acoustical volume backscattering was examined during three periods of the annual cycle of winds in the Arabian Sea-the Winter Northeast (NE) Monsoon, the Summer Southwest (SW) Monsoon, and the Fall Intermonsoon-using a multifrequency acoustic profiling system deployed on an undulating towed body. This system measured acoustical volume backscattering strengths at six frequencies ranging from 265 kHz to 3.0 MHz. Measurements were made from near the surface to 250 m depth along a ship track that paralleled the coast of Oman, then proceeded away from the coast towards the middle of the Arabian Sea. At all frequencies, volume backscattering strength was highest near the surface, decreasing with increasing depth. Contrary to expectation, backscattering was generally lower during the Summer SW Monsoon than during the Winter NE Monsoon. Also contrary to expectation, backscattering was not appreciably higher near the coast than it was offshore during the Summer SW Monsoon, although it was higher near the coast during the Winter NE Monsoon. Generally speaking, regional and seasonal differences were smaller than expected, and much smaller than the fine-scale spatial and temporal variability, particularly at frequencies below 1 MHz. There was a daily pattern of increased nighttime backscattering in the upper 100 m at 265 and 420 kHz. This pattern was less evident at 1.1 MHz and above.