Comparison of sound velocity value using four different empirical equation in estuarial area at Kuala Kurau, Perak / Imaizuddin Ismadi Abdullah

SONAR refer to sound, navigation and ranging and it is commonly used for underwater measurement applications. In hydrographic surveying, bathymetry survey is the most famous underwater applications using the sonar, which echo sounder is used to a measured depth. Next, depths in sonar are computed based on sonar formulae. In sonar equation, elapsed time of an acoustic pulse which travels to the bottom and return back is measured. In the depth measurement a large source of error in sonar hydrographic surveys is an incorrect speed of sound. The depth can be accurately determined, if speed of sound is accurately known. However, speed of sound values is subjected to conductivity, temperature, and pressure. To determine speed of sound accurately, there are equipment and equation that can be used. The aim of this research is to estimate the suitable value speed of sound of in water as well with different empirical equations to compare the value between computed speed of sound using empirical equations and observed speed of sound. For this purpose, observation was performed in estuarial area Kuala Kurau, Perak. The methodologies of these procedures are explained in detail in the paper. Finally, the result will be the estimation of suitable value of speed of sound during operations in estuarial area.