Depth dependence of ambient noise

Omnidirectional measurements of ambient noise versus depth in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Arctic, Pacific, and Atlantic areas are presented. The shapes of the vertical ambient noise profiles spanning the water column at frequencies from 25 to 500 Hz are shown to be heavily influenced by passing ships. The qualitative features of average noise profiles measured by mid-water hydrophones can be explained with the aid of a straightforward model, and it is concluded that low-frequency omnidirectional ambient noise depth dependence is predictable. The sensitivity of the vertical noise profile to passing ships, coupled with noise predictability suggests that surveillance could be effected by a vertical string of hydrophones without coherent processing in areas of relatively light shipping.