Point Acoustics
Point acoustics is a method that uses a point acoustic instrument to estimate suspended sediment. This method can be used if sand content is of interest and the river depth and width is not adequate to profile in multiple “bins” like other sediment acoustic methods.
A point acoustic instrument can be used for obtaining continuous estimates of suspended- sediment concentration (SSC). If sand content is of interest or significant, but there is not adequate river depth and width to profile backscatter in multiple bins, then a higher frequency point acoustic instrument that profiles within centimeters of the instrument may be the best option. The sensor emits an acoustic pulse (single frequency) and measures the acoustic energy scattered by sediment back toward the signal source (called backscatter).
