Are the frequencies used in SBES meant to penetrate seafloor sediments?

In single beam echo sounder (SBES) operations, the frequencies utilized are not intended to penetrate seafloor sediments. SBES primarily measures water depth by emitting sound pulses from the transducer toward the seafloor and listening for the return signal. The frequencies commonly used in SBES operations are generally well above the lower range, which allows for accurate depth measurements but limits the ability to penetrate sediment layers beneath the seafloor.

The primary purpose of the frequencies used in SBES is to obtain a clear and defined acoustic return from the water-sediment interface. While certain lower frequencies can penetrate sediments, SBES typically operates at higher frequencies to maximize resolution and clarity in water depth measurements rather than to investigate underlying geological structures. Thus, the focus is largely on producing an accurate representation of the seafloor morphology rather than evaluating sub-seafloor characteristics.