Sensitivity analysis of model parameters in geoacoustic inversion

Sensitivity of model parameters to the cost function defined by noise coherence in a shallow water environment is discussed here. Since, in inversion schemes based on matched field processing, the values of model and field parameters are compared to arrive at the best estimate, a sensitivity study helps in model parameter selection and also ensures the quality of the inversion. Model sensitivity for the acoustic properties of sediment layer and basement is checked for a layered environment in this study. In order to investigate the sensitivity of a parameter the cost function is evaluated and plotted for all possible values of the parameter values within it´s search bound. In this way, the distribution of cost function values should provide an indication of the parameter sensitivity.