The Ricker pulse and sediment density measurement by acoustics

Measuring the density of sediment in delta harbours is a major issue in proper harbor management. These measurements are carried out in the port of Rotterdam by nuclear radiation absorption. Carrying out sediment measurements by acoustics might be possible. The gradient of the sediment density causes sound echoes. Assuming that there is a one-to-one relation between impedance and density, a measure for the gradient is obtained by deconvolution of the echo. Integration of the gradient after correcting for the loss of the probing acoustic pulse gives a measure for density. To obtain the sign information a wide frequency-banded signal has to be used. Such a signal can be generated by nonlinear acoustics.