Measurements demonstrating low-frequency underwater sound attenuation using arrays of large, tethered, stationary encapsulated bubbles to surround a sound source were compared with various effective medium models for the acoustic dispersion relationship in bubbly liquids. Good agreement was observed between measurements for the large bubbles (on the order of 10 cm) at frequencies below 1 kHz and a model originally intended to describe the acoustic behavior of ultrasound contrast agents. The primary goal is to use the model for designing encapsulated-bubble-based underwater noise abatement systems and to reduce uncertainty in system performance.
Keywords: Anthropogenic noise abatement; Underwater noise.