A result of prolonged monitoring underwater sound speed in the center of the Yellow Sea

A time-series variation of temperature, salinity, and underwater sound speed was analyzed using an Array for Real-time Geostrophic Oceanography (ARGO) float which autonomously collects temperature and salinity for about 10month with 2 days cycle among 12 floats in the center of the Yellow Sea. As a result, the underwater sound channel appeared below the thermocline as the surface sound channel, which is dominant in the winter season, reduced in April. Besides, for a certain time in the spring season, the sound ray reflected the sea surface frequently due to the short-term temperature inversion effect. Based on the case of successful observation of ARGO float in the shallow water, using prolonged monitoring unmanned platform may contribute to predicting sound transmission loss if the temperature inversion and sound channel including background environment focusing are investigated in the center of the Yellow Sea.