Sensitivity Analysis of Model Parameters in Geoacoustic Inversion

Sensitivity of model parameters to the cost function defined by noise coherence in a shallow water environment is discussed here. Since, in inversion schemes based on matched field processing, the values of model and field parameters are compared to arrive at the best estimate, a sensitivity study helps in model parameter selection and also ensures the quality of the inversion. Model sensitivity for the acoustic properties of sediment layer and basement is checked for a layered environment in this study. In order to investigate the sensitivity of a parameter the cost function is evaluated and plotted for all possible values of the parameter values within it's search bound.. In this way, the distribution of cost function values should provide an indication of the parameter sensitivity.