Recently, the Specification for In-Situ Survey of Acoustic Properties in Marine Sediments (standard No. GB/T 42643-2023) led by the SIO was approved and issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of China. The standard will be implemented from September 1, 2023.

As the key interface between seawater and seabed, marine sediments are porous media with complex acoustic properties. The acoustic properties of marine sediments have important application value for marine scientific research, seabed resource exploration, engineering construction, geological hazard monitoring, marine safety maintenance, etc. In-situ survey, as an undisturbed method for measuring sediment parameters, can help people to obtain high-precision acoustic properties data. In-situ survey of acoustic properties in sediments is becoming an important part of conventional marine survey.

With the support of national special projects, the SIO developed China’s first marine sediment acoustic in-situ measurement system in 2002, invented the marine sediment acoustic properties measurement and synchronous sampling system after 20 years of continuous accumulation, developed the laboratory temperature and pressure simulation measurement device, completed the development and commercialization of a series of marine sediment acoustic in-situ measurement equipment, and realized the integration of technical processes, the verification of sea test applications as well as the application of multiple sets of equipment to ships. During the research and development process, the SIO obtained more than 10 national patents, published more than 30 papers, published 2 monographs, and obtained the Equipment Quality System Certification.

On this basis, the SIO summarized the technical achievements and maritime practical applications, conducted standardization research, collaborated with the First Institute of Oceanography, MNR, the Marine Consulting Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources, and China Association of Oceanic Engineering, to complete the compilation of the national standard “Specification for In-Situ Survey of Acoustic Properties in Marine Sediments” through more than 3 years, and released it.

The Specification for In-Situ Survey of Acoustic Properties in Marine Sediments specifies the general requirements for in-situ survey of acoustic properties of marine sediments, technical indicators of survey equipment, marine investigation, data sorting and data processing, survey results and data archiving requirements. This standard can be the basis for the implementation of in-situ survey of acoustic properties of marine sediments, which may improve the standardization of in-situ survey of acoustic properties of marine sediments, and fully support the research and practical application of marine sediment acoustics.