Effect of a transition density layer on wave propagation in a seismo-acoustic ocean waveguide

The effect of a transition density layer on the wave propagation in an oceanic environment is studied. The reflection characteristics from a medium containing a density transition layer overlying on a uniform fluid/elastic layer such as seabed are first examined, followed by a study of surface noise propagation in a waveguide environment. The results have shown that the effect of density transition layer is most eminent if there exists no refraction in the medium. Moreover, the effect becomes more important if the discontinuity between two layers enlarged. If the medium contains a sound speed contrast, then the effect of the density transition is minimized, indicating that the refraction largely controls the over effect of the medium stratification