Acoustic Backscatter

Acoustic backscatter refers to the reflection of sound waves sent into a medium, like water, from a sonar or underwater instrument. When these sound waves encounter objects—such as fish, plankton, or the seabed—they bounce back differently. The instrument detects these reflected signals, or backscatter, which provides information about the size, shape, and density of the objects or particles in the water. This method is widely used in marine research and underwater navigation to study marine life, map seafloors, and monitor environmental conditions.