Scientific echosounders were initially developed as narrowband (single-frequency) tools for fisheries applications (e.g., Jech and Michaels, 2006; Simmonds and MacLennan, 2008) and have a long history of producing qualitative plots of acoustic scattering intensity in the water column across both range and depth (echograms); see Fig. 7 in Farmer and Armi (1999), Fig. 1 in Moum et al. (2003), and Fig. 3 in Jech and Michaels (2006). Changes in acoustic scattering intensity, often represented in echograms by a gradated color scale, are driven by changes in acoustic impedance, a combination of medium density and compressibility (e.g., sound speed). Ocean boundaries, such as the seafloor and surface, and water column phenomena, such as biology, ocean structure, and mixing, are common drivers of acoustic impedance changes. Echogram images provide intuitive and compelling qualitative visualization of oceanic processes and boundaries for applications ranging from target identification in recreational fish finders to long-term environmental monitoring by government agencies (e.g., Jech, 2021) to descriptions of hydrological forcing in highly dynamic environments (e.g., Farmer and Armi, 1999). The echosounder used in this work is a split-beam system, where the receive array is split into quadrants to determine the angle of the arriving signal through split-aperture processing methods (see Burdic, 1991). Measurements of absolute acoustic scattering strength from split-beam echosounders can be converted into quantitative data streams of important geophysical signals through acoustic-inversion methods with the proper field calibration procedure (Demer et al., 2015), in situ sampling, and theoretical acoustic scattering models. Given the potential for rapid, remote measurements of geophysical properties of the ocean interior, there has been significant effort directed towards developing inversion methods, including the analysis of turbulent mixing (Goodman, 1990; Moum et al., 2003; Ross and Lueck, 2005; Seim et al., 1995), seafloor sediment characteristics (Amiri-Simkooei et al., 2011; Fonseca and Mayer, 2007; LeBlanc et al., 1992; McGee, 1990), biomass estimates for fisheries management and community analysis (Martin et al., 1996; Sawada et al., 1993), bubble size distributions (Li et al., 2020), and heat flux from hydrothermal plumes (Xu et al., 2017).

The incorporation of broadband capabilities (signal pulses with an extended and continuous frequency range) has dramatically increased the utility of scientific echosounder systems for the quantitative study of oceanic processes. Compared to narrowband systems, broadband echosounders provide increased along-beam (range) resolution – on the order of decimeters to millimeters – and continuous frequency resolution for spectral characterization (Chu and Stanton, 1998; Ehrenberg and Torkelson, 2000). Increased resolution is leveraged by researchers to discriminate closely spaced targets in the water column, facilitating precise positioning and tracking of targets (e.g., Loranger and Weber, 2020; Weidner et al., 2019; Jerram et al., 2015); moreover, continuous frequency-modulated scattering over the pulse bandwidth reduces the ambiguities in the interpretation of the acoustic returns so that specific scattering phenomena can be differentiated and more accurately classified in regions where scattering intensity and spatial context alone are not sufficient (e.g., Lavery et al., 2010; Stanton et al., 2010). Spectral analysis has been leveraged for acoustic-inversion procedures to quantify biomass and determine the community makeup of both plankton (Lavery et al., 2010) and fish (Cotter et al., 2021; Loranger et al., 2022) as well as to differentiate between multiple scattering mechanisms, for example oil droplets and gas bubbles (Loranger and Weber, 2020). A growing body of literature discusses acoustic-inversion methods using commercial broadband echosounders to quantify oceanic phenomena including thermohaline structure (Loranger et al., 2022; Weidner and Weber, 2024), turbulent mixing (Lavery et al., 2013; Muchowski et al., 2022), and gas seeps (Weidner et al., 2019).

In the underwater acoustic community, experience and familiarity with acoustic data interpretation methods is assumed, and therefore embedded in the literature. However, the aim of this paper is to expand the use of broadband acoustic tools in coastal polar regions by engaging a broader audience; thus, here, we cover these topics in some detail.

High-resolution, near-synoptic images collected by active acoustic systems are commonly referred to as echograms. Echograms consist of a series of individual time series records of acoustic scattering intensity, typically collected at uniform time intervals. In the case of split-beam echosounders, individual acoustic profiles are measurements of backscattering intensity due to the monostatic geometry of the co-located transmit and receive array (i.e., the transducer; see Medwin and Clay, 1997, their Sect. 10.1). When a transducer is mounted on a vessel and data are collected while underway, as in this work, the sequential stacking of closely spaced acoustic profiles effectively provides an “image” of the water column in space and time. In this paper, we refer to data collected in this manner as “near-synoptic observations”. We use the term near-synoptic because the time interval between individual acoustic records results in an along-track dimension that is always convolved with time, rather than a truly synoptic “snapshot” of the ocean. As a result, observations of nonstationary phenomena (e.g., internal waves and fish schools) can be aliased, and this effect should be considered in analysis. Regardless of this complexity, echograms provide highly resolved images of the water column that allow for the contextualization and interpretation of oceanic phenomena with resolutions unmatched by other observational means.

There are two types of resolution in an echogram: the along-ray path resolution and along-track resolution. The along-ray path, or range, resolution of an individual acoustic profile is defined by the distance between independent estimates of the backscatter strength. With the application of pulse compression processing techniques, the range resolution of broadband systems is proportional to the inverse of the pulse transducer signal's bandwidth (Chu and Stanton, 1998; Turin, 1960) and typically ranges from millimeter to decimeter scales. The spatial resolution, defined by the distance between individual acoustic profiles in the along-track direction of vessel motion, is a function of the transducer's pulse repetition fire rate (typically 0.1–10 Hz) and duty cycle, the depth of the seafloor, and the speed of the vessel. In nearshore environments, when seafloor depths are relatively shallow (<150 m), typical spacing between profiles ranges from the sub-meter to the meter scale.

Echograms offer more than just highly resolved images; they contain quantitative information on ocean water column processes and boundaries. Acoustic energy from the outgoing broadband pulse is scattered and reflected from phenomena in both the water column and at boundaries (e.g., seafloor, sea surface, and ice face) that create changes in medium density and sound speed, referred to in the acoustic literature as “impedance contrasts”. In the context of the ocean, impedance contrasts are often the result of physical boundaries (see Fig. 2 in Weidner et al., 2020), suspended particulates (plankton, fish, and sediment; see Fig. 2 in Cotter et al., 2021, or Fig. 2 in Loranger et al., 2022), changes in thermohaline-structure-associated pycnoclines (see Fig. 2 in Stranne et al., 2017), and flow or mixing structures (see Fig. 1 in Lavery et al., 2013) within the interior of the water column. Acoustic scattering intensity is often reported on a logarithmic scale (decibels) due to the wide range of potential impedance contrasts associated with ocean boundaries and water column processes. For example, the acoustic scattering intensity recorded from seafloor scattering will be several orders of magnitude higher than scattering from thermohaline structure because the impedance contrast between seawater and rock (or sediment) is significantly greater than the impedance contrast brought about by the transition between water masses. The characteristics of the backscattered signal (e.g., intensity and broadband spectral content) are linked to geophysical properties of oceanic phenomenon (e.g., dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), bubble size, and biological community assemblage), which can be characterized through acoustic data analysis.

Broadband scientific echosounders represent a powerful tool for coastal studies; however, until recently, the use of broadband analysis methods has been limited in their applicability due to the high cost of custom-made broadband systems, often exceeding USD 500 000. The availability of lower-cost, commercial broadband systems and the expanded access to a broader user base has resulted in a growing body of literature and processing software for broadband data analysis (Blomberg et al., 2018; Cotter et al., 2019; Demer et al., 2017; Lavery et al., 2017; Weidner et al., 2019). Hence, these systems have the potential to improve observational capabilities in isolated and challenging field locations. This paper will address the acoustic analysis of three topics within the study of high-latitude systems:

variability in the thermohaline structure and mixing across different temporal and spatial scales,

Traditionally, water masses are characterized through the in situ collection of CTD profiles. Thermohaline structure can be inferred by interpolating between CTD profiles – the denser the profile collection, the more accurate the measurements of the spatial distribution of thermohaline structure. Despite their ubiquity and utility, disentangling interconnected processes controlling thermohaline structure can be challenging using direct observational measurements alone. Individual profiles lack spatial context, and dense profile collection can be cost- and time-prohibitive. Acoustic observations can be leveraged to assist in mapping out and characterizing water column structure through imaging of the boundaries (pycnoclines) between water masses. Scattering at water mass boundaries (e.g., pycnoclines) is well documented in the literature and connected to a number of scattering mechanisms, including the sharp gradients in thermohaline structure (e.g., Stranne et al., 2017; Weidner et al., 2020), the intense turbulent mixing due to shear forces (Geyer et al., 2017; Lavery et al., 2013), and the suspended particles (such as biological aggregations, e.g., Benoit-Bird et al., 2009, or sediment, e.g., Simmons et al., 2020) that are often associated with thermohaline structure. The inclusion of broadband acoustic data along with direct sampling can elucidate the fjord-scale dynamics that control the distribution of thermohaline structure.

Beyond the near-synoptic observations, echosounders can collect measurements in regions inaccessible to direct sampling equipment. In high-latitude glacial fjords, this remote advantage can be leveraged to collect measurements in dangerous regions, such as a submerged ice–ocean interface of the glacial terminus. Direct observations at the ice edge are sparse in the literature, owing to limited access due to the presence of ice mélange and icebergs. Furthermore, calving events, both subaerial and submarine, make work at the ice face dangerous for vessels, equipment, and personnel, thereby precluding most ship-based sampling. Oceanographic data, such as CTD casts, are generally collected downstream in the fjord, and ice–ocean dynamics are then inferred (Beaird et al., 2023; Stevens et al., 2016; Straneo et al., 2011). The few existing in situ observations have been collected by helicopters (Bendtsen et al., 2015), remotely operated vehicles (Mankoff et al., 2016), and sensors attached to marine mammals (Everett et al., 2018). The paucity of direct measurements limits the inclusion of terminus ice–ocean dynamics in large-scale climate models (Bamber et al., 2018), predictions of fjord circulation (Straneo et al., 2011), and contribution to sea level rise predictions (Siegert et al., 2020). The need for enhanced observational capabilities and additional measurements at the ice–ocean interface has been well documented (e.g., by Siegert et al., 2020).

A number of recent studies have employed acoustic systems to overcome the challenges associated with near-terminus observations. Sutherland et al. (2019) estimated submarine melt rates by combining high-resolution images of the submerged terminus from a multibeam echosounder with data on glacier motion. An acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP), deployed from an autonomous surface vehicle by Jackson et al. (2020), provided the first characterization of meltwater intrusions in the near-terminus region. Broadband echosounders can add to this acoustic toolset by providing remote, quantitative observations of the ice–ocean interface and those processes occurring nearby, such as subglacial discharge. Uniquely, broadband echosounders can make measurements of absolute scattering intensity, which is not possible with other acoustic systems, and these measurements, combined with split-aperture processing and broadband spectral analysis, can shed light on the morphology of the terminus, identify the presence and constrain the geometry of subglacial discharge plumes, and identify innerconnection biophysical processes occurring near the terminus.

Finally, quantitative analysis of broadband spectral data can be used to identify scattering mechanisms and even provide remote measurements of geophysical signals (e.g., dissipation rates of TKE and gas bubble size). These methods compare the calibrated, absolute scattering measurements of a specific phenomenon made by field echosounders to predicted scattering levels from theoretical acoustic scattering models. The models are generally informed by in situ measurements of the physical (e.g., thermohaline structure, bubbles, and suspended sediments) or biological scattering mechanisms, collected in tandem with the acoustic field measurements. The direct comparison of scattering levels allows for inversion for geophysical parameters from rapid, high-resolution, near-synoptic, echosounder observations and offers a promising alternative to traditional direct sampling approaches in challenging locations.

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the applicability and utility of active acoustics systems to high-latitude systems using a high-frequency (160–240 kHz), broadband acoustic dataset collected in Hornsund Fjord, Svalbard. Section 2 of this paper provides an overview of the field site in Svalbard. The equipment, vessel, and data collection methods are described in Sect. 3. Section 4 covers the analysis of high-resolution water column observations in tandem with direct sampling to characterize dynamics across the full-fjord scale, as well as the potential for remote measurements in the dangerous region of the submerged glacial terminus. Section 4 also includes a discussion of broadband spectral analysis and acoustic-inversion efforts to remotely measure turbulent mixing associated with fjord bathymetry and tidal forcing. A discussion of the acoustic data collection methods and analysis, including safety considerations for glacial systems and limitations of broadband systems, is covered in Sect. 5. Section 6 concludes the paper with the potential for future applications of broadband systems to high-latitude fjords.

Acoustic transects of Hansbukta were collected alongside in situ sampling with the miniCTD sensor. The acoustic transects ran along a north–south heading from the deep channel at the mouth of Hornsund Fjord into Hansbukta to the submerged terminus of Hansbreen (see Fig. 1). The echogram in Fig. 3 illustrates a section of one such transect, approximately 1.7 km long and collected over a period of 35 min during the peak ebb tide. The complex, glacially derived bathymetry of Hansbukta is captured and is the strongest scatterer in the echogram (>-20 dB re m⁻¹). Running from south to north, the bathymetry transitions from the deep (>200 m) main channel of Hornsund Fjord to the glacial trough of Hansbreen, where the grounding line is approximately 65 m deep. Between the main channel and Hansbreen, the seafloor shallows rapidly over a series of sills, transitioning rapidly from >200 to 12 m in depth over less than 250 m along the track. In the water column, numerous scattering phenomenon are represented. Biological scattering from individual fish and aggregations are observable, primarily in the main channel (1400–1700 m along the track) and glacial trough (0–200 m along the track), as discrete and small features or larger semicircular regions of elevated scattering between -25 and -35 dB re m⁻¹. Scattering associated with the evolving thermohaline structure across Hansbukta is also observable as weakly scattering (<-50 dB re m⁻¹) semi-discrete layers in the upper 20 m of the water column. Several layer-like features evolve over the length of the transect and are discussed below using the CTD data for context. Three miniCTD profiles were collected at key locations along the transect: in the main channel, at the shallowest point of the primary sill, and in the inner fjord. The CTD profiles provide direct measurements of the thermohaline structure at discrete locations across Hansbukta, while the broadband echogram provides spatial context on water mass evolution and the hydrodynamic processes influencing thermohaline structure.

Generally, the thermohaline structure in Hansbukta can be influenced by two external water masses: Atlantic Water (AW) transported on the West Spitsbergen Current, characterized as both warm and saline (3.5 to 6.0 °C, >35 PSU) (Strzelewicz et al., 2022; Walczowski, 2013), and the relatively cold and saline waters (-1.5 to 1.5 °C, 34.3 to 34.8 PSU) originating from western Svalbard carried on the Sørkapp Current (SC) (Cottier et al., 2005; Promińska et al., 2018). Additionally, submarine glacial discharge and submarine meltwater from ablation, melting, and runoff associated with Hansbreen are introduced into the glacial trough of Hansbukta. Discharge rates from Hansbreen are variable depending on the season, primarily peaking between June and September (Błaszczyk et al., 2019).

The three CTD casts can fingerprint the external and glacially influenced water masses and provide a coarse view of the distribution of thermohaline structure across Hansbukta. At the southernmost extent of the transect in the main channel of Hornsund Fjord (>20 m), the CTD profile shows that the deep water column can be described as Transformed Atlantic Water (TAW; Fig. 3), the product of entrainments and mixing between AW and SC waters (Nilsen et al., 2008); however, the cold and saline TAW waters are isolated by the shallow sill of Hansbukta and are absent in the sill and glacial trough CTD profiles. At the surface, all of the CTD profiles show a well-mixed surface layer (SL; Fig. 3), characterized by relatively warm and fresh water, likely influenced by submarine glacial discharge and submarine meltwater from Hansbreen. The vertical extent of SL water deepens and warms between the glacial trough and the sills, from 2.0 to 7.5 m in depth and from 3.6 to 4.7 °C, and then retains the same depth and T–S characteristics between the sill and main channel. Below the surface layer, the thermohaline structure of the water column from the main channel of Hornsund Fjord, over the sills, to the glacial trough shows nearly identical T–S characteristics, influenced by sill mixing (SM; Fig. 3). SM water is defined by increasing salinity and a temperature inversion with increasing depth. SM water has a minimum temperature of 2.7 °C and shallows in depth from 12.2 to 6.5 m between the glacial trough and the sill CTD casts. It extends over the water column of the sills and glacial trough CTD casts from the base of the submarine glacial-discharge-influenced surface layer to the seafloor, while in the main channel, it is bounded by a depth approximately equal to that of the shallowest sill depth (∼12 m). Overall, the CTD data suggest that the influence of Hansbreen extends across Hansbukta well into the main channel of Hornsund Fjord, as evidenced by the persistent, low-salinity SL water across all casts. Furthermore, there is evidence of strong connectivity between the deeper SM water mass in the glacial trough of Hansbukta and in the main channel of Hornsund Fjord; SM water is characterized by the low-temperature intrusion layer seen in all three T–S plots. SM water is constrained by the sill depth in the main channel, suggesting a bathymetric control on not only the thermohaline structure but also the transport of heat and salt between the main channel of Hornsund and the inner bay of Hansbukta and the ice–ocean interface of Hansbreen. However, without additional casts or other information, disentangling the interconnected processes that are controlling the spatial distribution of SL, SM, and TAW water in Hansbukta and the broader transport of heat and salt across Hornsund Fjord (e.g., tides, bathymetry, and glacial discharge rates) remains out of reach.

The broadband acoustic data collected between the CTD casts offer the potential to more fully characterize the distribution of thermohaline structure across Hansbukta and start to explain the dynamics behind evolution observed in the in situ profiles. The water mass boundaries identified by the CTD casts are clearly visible in the echogram as regions of elevated scattering, as illustrated by the dashed gray lines in Fig. 3. The mechanism in the water column responsible for the elevated scattering signal is not immediately clear from visual inspection of the echogram and could be tied to a number of processes (e.g., gradients in T–S, mixing, and biological or sediment particulates); however, these regions show general agreement in their position (depth) with the in situ data on water mass boundaries. Unlike the in situ data, the echogram allows for precise positioning of the visible boundaries across the entire transect of Hansbukta, and the nature of the scattered signal (e.g., shape and intensity) provides context on the active mixing processes occurring in the water column.

Starting with the surface layer, SL waters can be identified by the scattering associated with the sharp gradient in temperature and salinity that occurs at the boundary between the base of the surface and the intermediate water mass below. While this boundary is not visible in the glacial trough (<200 m along the track) because the depth of the surface layer is shallower than the draft plus the blanking distance of the transducer, beyond this point the boundary can be tracked as it progressively deepens from the glacial trough over the sills and to the main channel. The nature of the scattering associated with this boundary evolves along the track, elucidating the processes that modify the water mass, as measured in the CTD casts. At the onset of the sills, the boundary is characterized by a series of Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) instabilities (Fig. 3, inset box A), recognized by their alternating braid-core structure (e.g., Thorpe, 1987; van Haren and Gostiaux, 2010). KH instabilities are regions of intense shear and turbulent mixing and have been imaged acoustically in other highly energetic coastal regions (Geyer et al., 2017; Lavery et al., 2013). Here, the shear is likely generated by the south-flowing current at the surface driven by the ebb tide, potentially combined with the shallowing bathymetry of the sills, evidenced by the presence and directionality of the KH shear instability structure. The mixing between the surface layer and the intermediate water mass below explains the deepening and change in surface layer properties observed in the CTD casts. Beyond the sills, starting at 1000 m along the track (Fig. 3), the boundary of the surface layer becomes a discrete, thin scattering layer. The lack of KH instabilities, suggests scattering from a sharp gradient associated with the pycnocline (e.g., Stranne et al., 2017; Weidner et al., 2020), with little mixing or modification in the boundary properties; these observations suggest that the surface layer should have similar T–S properties between the sill and main channel, as was observed in the CTD profiles.

Deeper in the water column there is intense scattering from KH shear instabilities closely associated with the rapid changes in bathymetry at either end of the sills (Fig. 3). In the inner fjord at the onset of each sill, trains of KH instabilities are visible, closely tracking the seafloor depth. The strongest scattering is associated with the second sill, starting at approximately 300 m along the track. Given the close contact with the seafloor, the elevated scattering levels associated with the KH instabilities could be driven by resuspended sediment from strong currents, entrained organisms, or from turbulent microstructure; in either case, the observations from the echogram point to intense mixing in the inner fjord near the seafloor and the transport of water across the sills, likely driven primarily by the changing tide. On the far side of the outermost sill, entering the main channel of Hornsund Fjord, there is a region of elevated scattering centered at approximately 10 m depth that starts at the sill edge and continues for an along-track distance of more than 400 m to the end of the echogram record (Fig. 3). The depth of elevated scattering matches the base of the intermediate water mass identified in the CTD casts by the strong temperature inversion, while the nature of the scattered signal points to an active mixing process, although the braided structure of KH instabilities is not as clear as those in the inner sill area. Again, observations from the echogram point to water mass transport over the sill and explain the connection in T–S properties between the intermediate waters of the main channel of Hornsund Fjord and the inner bay of Hansbukta in the glacial trough.

Overall, the combination of the near-synoptic acoustic observations and the in situ CTD measurements points to a combination of tidally induced flow and shallow sills controlling the intermediate thermohaline structure across Hansbukta, while a surface layer influenced by submarine glacial discharge is persistent throughout Hansbukta. Tidal pumping is identified as the driving process for water mass transport and transformation from (1) the presence and directionality of the KH instabilities that develop at the interface between water masses and the sills, as imaged in the echogram, and (2) the resulting connectivity of the thermohaline structure, measured directly by the CTD casts. This type of stratified flow over topography is well defined in the literature (e.g., Farmer and Armi, 1999; Geyer et al., 2017) and has been observed in estuaries, as well as in terrestrial systems such as mountain ranges (Lilly, 1978). This conclusion is supported by previous research in Hornsund Fjord, which suggests that tidal forcing is the main hydrodynamic driver of heat, salt, and freshwater budgets (Jakacki et al., 2017; Kowalik et al., 2015). The analysis of the transect in Fig. 3 illustrates the utility of broadband echosounder data as a contextual tool for the study of high-latitude systems and the importance of direct sampling sensors, such as CTDs, to inform the analysis and vice versa. The CTD profiles lack the high-resolution spatial context to directly determine the dynamics driving the thermohaline variability, while the acoustic observations are inherently ambiguous, requiring ground-truth information for a complete analysis. Here, a combination of the near-synoptic acoustic observations with the in situ measurements of the thermohaline structure can provide important physical context for interpretation of the driving oceanographic processes.

Measurements of the submerged terminus of Hansbreen were collected using a side-looking geometry (Fig. 2). A series of survey lines were run for approximately 1.2 km parallel to the ice face from east to west, limited by the shallowing seafloor edges of Hansbukta. The transducer geometry provided a diagonal slice of water column observations starting at a depth of 2.6 m (transducer draft) to between 17 and 25 m deep at the submerged terminus (see Appendix B for additional information). The resulting echogram provides imagery of the submerged terminus as well as near-terminus water column phenomena occurring between the transducer and the ice face, including scattering from subglacial discharge (Fig. 4). Concurrently with broadband data collection, water surface imagery was collected with a time-lapse camera. During survey operations near Hansbreen, the surface expression of a subglacial discharge plume was observed as a persistent ice-free region extending outwards from the ice face <200 m. No surface flow velocity measurements were made, but a distinct boundary was observed at the edge of the plume, marked by the ring of ice mélange and a change in surface texture. Observations are consistent with the surfacing of buoyant subglacial discharge reported in the literature (Chauché et al., 2014; Mankoff et al., 2016; Mortensen et al., 2013; Motyka et al., 2003; Xu et al., 2013).

Broadband echosounders can precisely position the submerged terminus, as well as providing measurements of the ice face along-track geometry (Fig. 4). In the echogram, the terminus is easily identifiable across the entire transect by an elongated, strong backscattering return (>-40 dB re m⁻¹) starting between 75 and 120 m in range. The elongated return from the submerged ice face is initially characterized by the sidelobe return, a weakly scattering signal of a variable length (i.e., between approximately 475–550 and 675–700 m along the track). The primary return from the submerged terminus shows a generally monotonic increase to a peak intensity value, before a gradual reduction in intensity. The length of the primary return is variable, likely due to variability in the angle of ice face tilt with respect to the transducer. This type of elongated return resulting from oblique incidence geometry and the propagation of the acoustic pulse along an extended surface target has been observed in other broadband echosounder work (e.g., Weber and Ward, 2015), as well as in multibeam echosounders at a large incidence angle (e.g., Lurton, 2002, Fig. 8.30). Tracking the terminus position can provide a direct measurement of submerged terminus geometry, such as trends in the over- or undercutting of the submerged ice face (e.g., Weidner, 2025; Abib et al., 2023; Sutherland et al., 2019; Rignot et al., 2010; Robertson et al., 2012; Sugiyama et al., 2019).

In addition to observations of the submerged terminus, elevated backscattering from subglacial discharge can be seen in the echogram between 575 and 825 m along the transect. The geometry of the subglacial discharge evolves as it rises in the water column towards the surface. Initially, the region of elevated scattering extends outwards from the submerged terminus in a narrow core approximately 50 m across (620 to 675 m along the track), referred to here as the “plume” region following Mankoff et al. (2016). This plume extends 40 to 50 m outward from the ice face with little change in its along-track width (parallel to the ice face). At a range from the transducer of approximately 25 m, at 7 m depth, the plume rapidly expands to a region more than 300 m across, referred to here as the “pool”. The position and extent (distance along the calving front) of the surface expression of the subglacial discharge pool, observed from the deck of MV Ulla Rinman and in the time-lapse imagery, show agreement with the acoustic measurements. To our knowledge, these are the most detailed measurements, acoustic or otherwise, of the geometry of a subglacial discharge event. Measurements such as these can provide direct information about the variability in plume width, which strongly affects the plume neutral buoyancy depth, upwelling flux, and plume-driven renewal time (Slater et al., 2022). Future analysis could take advantage of split-aperture processing techniques employed for gas seep plumes (e.g., Blomberg et al., 2018; Jerram et al., 2015) to determine the position and geometry of the plume and submerged ice face more precisely.

Beyond spatial measurements of the discharge, broadband acoustic observations can elucidate the dynamics of subglacial discharge plumes, by acquiring data that reveal the scale and geometry of the discharge location at the grounding line. It is well established that fresh water from surface melting, precipitation events, and other terrestrial inputs is channeled upstream of the terminus and is injected into the fjord environment at the calving front; however, the nature of the discharge location, whether at single or multiple distinct locations (point source) or across the length of the terminus (line source) remains unclear (Jenkins, 2011; Mugford and Dowdeswell, 2011; Xu et al., 2013, 2012). The geometry of the discharge location defines the plume evolution and, subsequently, the entrainment rate of ambient fjord water, the total area of enhanced submarine melt rates due to plume–ice interaction, and the spread of glacially modified waters at the depth of hydrostatic equilibrium (Motyka et al., 2003; Wagner et al., 2019). Moreover, geometry is an important component of the parameterization of plume dynamics for fjord-scale modeling (Cowton et al., 2015; Slater et al., 2020). Acoustic systems can provide direct observations of the subglacial discharge location, and the backscattering signal from the plume higher in the water column can provide important observations related to plume dynamics (e.g., entrainment rates and scale of overturning).

Acoustic observations from Hansbukta demonstrate that echosounders can verify the presence of subglacial discharge in the water column. In Hansbukta, the submerged expression of discharge coincided with a surface expression. Prior to this work, the detection of the presence of subglacial discharge plumes depended on the visible surface expression of sediment-laden waters (e.g., Chauché et al., 2014); however, at termini with deeper grounding lines, surface expression is not always expected (e.g., Stevens et al., 2016). Recent modeling work from Slater et al. (2022) indicates that only 28 % of subglacial discharge plumes in Greenland reach a neutral buoyancy in the photic zone due to a combination of near-terminus stratification and weak discharge. Thus, the Slater et al. (2022) results suggest that more than two-thirds of cases of plume dynamics are under-accounted for in modeling efforts of ice–ocean interactions, including increased submarine melt and calving rates; this does not even account for the fact that a plume reaching the photic zone does not guarantee that it will have a visible surface expression. Again, broadband echosounders offer the means to close these observational gaps, by providing remote verification of plume presence; to help better understand the dependency of plume dynamics on the slope of the submerged terminus (Jenkins, 2011); and to identify the plume neutral buoyancy depth, plume impact on downstream thermohaline structure, and plume and terminus geometry.

Any data collection, acoustic or otherwise, taking place in proximity to a tidewater glacier must consider the safety and logistical challenges associated with working in a hazardous, actively calving zone. Operations must define a minimum safety distance to protect the people, vessel, and equipment; this distance is strongly dependent on a number of parameters unique to the glacial system being studied. The minimum safety distance definition and the subsequent impact on acoustic data collection and analysis are discussed in detail in Sect. 5.4.

To characterize the tidally driven mixing in Hansbukta, broadband acoustic observations were collected in tandem with measurements of dissipation rates, temperature variance (χT), and turbulent kinetic energy (ε) by the Epsi-fish in regions of stratified turbulence (Fig. 5). Comparison between broadband inversion measurements and the Epsi-fish ground-truth dataset illustrates the potential for accurate, remote, acoustically derived measurements of dissipation rates in high-latitude regions. Furthermore, the high-resolution echograms collected by broadband echosounder systems can image and quantify the evolution of shear instabilities associated with mixing over large regions.

The broadband acoustic-inversion method applied here has previously been leveraged to measure dissipation rates of turbulent kinetic energy in high-energy systems with intense salinity gradients in the Connecticut River (160–600 kHz; Lavery et al., 2013). In highly turbulent strongly stratified water columns, backscattering can be driven by small, random perturbations in density and compressibility brought about by fluctuations in the medium temperature and salinity associated with dynamic mixing (Goodman and Forbes, 1990). A theoretical acoustic scattering model for isotropic homogenous turbulent microstructure (Lavery et al., 2003) is used here and is outlined in detail in Appendix C. In short, the calibrated and corrected volumetric scattering derived from field observations is fit to the scattering model output, which is constrained by the in situ data collected by the Epsi-fish, which was <150 m from the acoustic transect. Fitting the scattering model provides an acoustically derived measurement of the dissipation rate of TKE, ε.

The application of broadband acoustic inversion to remotely measure dissipation rate TKE was applied to the acoustic transect collected running from north to south into the main channel of Hornsund Fjord, the area of interest just outside the primary sill of Hansbukta (Fig. 1). The data were collected near the peak ebb tide, and the echogram shows elevated scattering associated with shear instabilities, thermohaline structure, and individual fish in the region of interest highlighted in Fig. 5, between 10 and 28 m depth. The vertical profiles of temperature and salinity from the coincident Epsi-fish cast show several pycnocline regions associated with glacially derived water mass, similar to the structure observed in Fig. 3 and discussed in Sect. 4.1. At the sharp thermocline at ∼16 m depth, TKE and thermal dissipation rates observed from the Epsi-fish are elevated more than an order of magnitude above background levels. Elevated scattering is seen at the same location, associated with shear instabilities that evolve along the track into a breaking internal wave.

The dissipation rate of TKE can be measured from the backscattered signal with the help of a theoretical acoustic scattering model and direct sampling from the Epsi-fish. The Epsi-fish measurements not only inform the acoustic scattering model but were also used to validate the acoustically derived measurements. The local temperature and salinity measured by the Epsi-fish (Fig. 5) were used to estimate the molecular kinematic viscosity (υ), the saline contraction and thermal expansion coefficients (β and α), the fractional change in sound speed due to temperature and salinity (a and b), and the mean gradients of salinity (∂S¯/∂z) and temperature (∂T¯/∂z). Together with peak values of the dissipation rate of TKE (ε), the Epsi-fish measurements were used to

determine the turbulent energy regime of the broadband acoustic observations,

The Epsi-fish measurements of the region of interest in Fig. 5 indicate that all of the acoustic observations fell well within the viscous–convective turbulent energy regime. As a result, the scattered energy from the turbulent mixing associated with the breaking internal wave, here referred to as the backscattering cross section (σv), could be computed following Eq. (6) from Lavery et al. (2013): 1σv(f)=2-3fqευ-124πεRFcgβ∂S¯∂z⋅A2∂T¯/dz∂S¯/dz2+B2+2AB∂T¯/dz∂S¯/dz, where f is the acoustic frequency (in kHz), evaluated over the range 160–240 kHz; q is a constant defined by Oakey (1982); c is the speed of sound; RF is the non-dimensional Richardson flux number, defined by Osborn (1980) as 0.15; g is the gravitational constant; and A and B account for the fractional changes in sound speed and density due to temperature and salinity, such that A=α+a and B=βb. The full derivation for Eq. (1) is found in Appendix C.

Equation (1) was used to predict the broadband backscattering intensity spectra over the experimental frequency range (160–240 kHz) using the Epsi-fish measurement (Fig. 5). The Epsi-fish-derived predictions of the backscattering cross section were then compared to acoustically derived measurements of the backscattering cross section in the region of interest.

To compute σv(f), a time series with a length of 36 samples, approximately 0.28 ms, was extracted across 25 acoustic profiles. The Fourier transform of the profiles was taken to compute the frequency-dependent backscattering (SMF). The ensemble average backscattering cross section was computed from the ensemble of the extracted SMF measurements following a modified form from Weber and Ward (2015): 2σvf=〈|SMF(f)|2〉C(f)r4exp⁡-4αa(f)r1V(f), where the brackets 〈〉 specify an ensemble average over multiple acoustic profiles, C is the frequency-dependent main response axis (MRA) correction factor, r is the range to the region of interest, αa is the frequency-dependent absorption coefficient (in neper m⁻¹), and V is the frequency-dependent ensonified area. The volumetric backscattering intensity, plotted in Fig. 5, is the logarithmic form of the backscattering cross section volumetric scattering, Sv, such that Sv=10log⁡10σv (with units of dB re m⁻¹). An in-depth discussion of Eq. (2) can be found in Appendix B.

The analysis of the acoustic measurements can be expanded upon. For example, the measurements of the backscattering cross section can be inverted using Eq. (1) to directly, remotely estimate the dissipation rate of TKE. The model (Eq. 1) was rewritten to solve for the dissipation rate of TKE using both the ensemble average volume scattering measurements and the basic oceanographic measurements from the Epsi-cast, and it was then evaluated to provide a remote, acoustically derived measurement of the dissipation rate of TKE which can be compared to the Epsi-fish in situ measurement. This method is not without precedent; it has been successfully applied in the Connecticut River by Lavery et al. (2013) and in the Baltic Sea by Muchowski et al. (2022).

Before discussing the results of the broadband measurements of the frequency-dependent backscattering cross section and the resulting inversion estimating the dissipation rate of TKE, it is important to clarify the assumptions involved in this analysis. First, there is an approximately 150 m separation between the deployment location of the microstructure probe and the acoustic data shown in Fig. 5. Both data were taken approximately the same distance from the sill, but the measurements made by the Epsi-fish may not be representative of the water column sampled by the acoustic system, especially if mixing associated with the sill had spatial heterogeneity. Furthermore, the acoustic scattering model (Eq. 1) used in this analysis assumes that a homogenous, isotropic turbulent microstructure is responsible for the scattered signal, and any patchiness in that phenomenon is not accounted for in the model application. The short ranges associated with this analysis mean that the area sampled is relatively small, <3 m³, and previous research (e.g., Muchowski et al., 2022), working in deeper conditions (larger sampled areas), has made the homogenous, isotropic assumption. Finally, the use of a single acoustic scattering model for inversion estimates assumes either a single or dominant scattering mechanism. It is always possible, indeed likely, that multiple scattering mechanisms are present in the sampled region at a given moment in time; however, this ambiguity can be broken by considering the broadband spectral response and comparing field measurements to the known frequency dependencies of various potential scattering mechanisms, as is done in the following paragraph.

There is excellent agreement between both the modeled predictions of volumetric scattering and the values of dissipation rate of TKE measured by the Epsi-fish cast and the acoustically derived observations as illustrated in Fig. 5. First, the acoustic field measurements of volume scattering from the region associated with the breaking internal wave show a weakly positive frequency dependence of f1, measured by least-squares fitting a power law distribution. This power law dependence is the same as that predicted by Eq. (1) for backscattering from a turbulent microstructure in the viscous–convective regime. While there are indications of other scattering mechanisms in the echogram (e.g., fish and thermohaline structure), neither have this power law spectra dependency; this, combined with Eq. (1) and the general context, suggests that the observed elevated scattering associated with the region centered at 16 m depth is driven by a turbulent microstructure. Here, the dissipation rate of TKE derived through acoustic inversion was measured to be 5.5×10-7 (W kg⁻¹), compared to the peak Epsi-fish measurement of 2.7×10-7 (W kg⁻¹). The close agreement, within a factor of 2, suggests that the acoustic method is viable and that the backscattering signal observed in the echogram surrounding the region of interest could be inverted to provide estimates of the dissipation rate of TKE over a larger area, leveraging the high-resolution nature of acoustic data to characterize mixing across the region.

Future work will expand the acoustically derived measurements to contextualize dissipation rate variability at the sill over various stages in the tidal cycle and over the subglacial discharge plume in the glacial trough. The highly resolved nature of broadband echograms, defined by both the individual acoustic profile depth resolution and the spacing of along-track profiles, means that we can extract measurements of dissipation rates at spatial scales unheard of with direct profile sampling equipment and use these high-resolution measurements to better inform mixing models in the highly dynamic high-latitude fjords; such information can improve our understanding of heat and salt transport across fjords. The fact that TKE dissipation rates can be obtained remotely is going to be a critical tool for understanding ablation mechanisms at the glacier terminus, where it is very difficult to obtain in situ measurements.

Echosounders used in scientific applications have high receive sensitivity, which allows for the measurement of a wide frequency range of relatively low amplitude acoustic signals. High receive sensitivity, combined with pulse compression signal processing, enables the observation of weakly scattering phenomenon, such as thermohaline and mixing structure, as reported in Figs. 3–5; however, high receive sensitivity also makes broadband echosounders susceptible to external noise across a broad range of frequencies, from other acoustic systems (e.g., ship bottom pingers), environmental sources (e.g., wind and waves), ship noise, and electrical interference. From a practical perspective, any increase in interference with the received acoustic signal from external noise sources will reduce the signal-to-noise ratio of the system, resulting in a reduction in the range of detection of objects in the water column and broadband spectral characterization capabilities.

Vessel mobilization of the broadband transducers must consider equipment placement with respect to noise sources and flow structures, as well as transducer safety, to ensure the collection of quality data. Electrical noise, often caused by electromagnetic interference from ship-based power or voltage drops from high-current equipment, such as winches, commonly reduces the quality of acoustic data. Noise reduction measures must also be considered in the installation and acquisition procedures of the acoustic topside unit. When the EK80 wideband transceiver was acquiring acoustic data during the Hornsund Fjord expedition, the MV Ulla Rinman's ship sonar was turned off to remove the potential for crosstalk between the two systems. During the collection of in situ data, the broadband system did not acquire data, due to interference from the ship's winch, and at the completion of in situ data collection, the winch and all associated electronics were secured. Furthermore, the full suite of broadband echosounder equipment (e.g., transducer, transceiver, positioning system, and acquisition laptop) was run from a separate marine-grade battery, due to electrical noise associated with ship power. Moreover, the ES200-7CD split-beam transducer was deployed from a side-mounted pole on the forward, starboard side of MV Ulla Rinman. The side-mounted pole was a total of 6 m in length, with 2 m sitting below the water line to protect the transducer from interaction with surface ice mélange. The location of the pole was selected to minimize vibrations and the impact of bubbles entrained by the vessel to help minimize noise and performance degradation. Additionally, the pole location on MV Ulla Rinman also allowed (1) the field team to maintain visual contact during survey activities from the ship's bridge and (2) easy access for regular pole deployment and acoustic calibration procedures. Installation of the transducer must ensure as close to a laminar water flow over the transducer face as possible, as any vibration will be converted into electrical energy, contributing to the background noise level.

The successful interpretation of acoustic data relies upon the accurate and thoughtful application of corrections in the post-processing pipeline. Appropriate corrections are dependent on the type of analysis but typically include the application of a calibration offset to account for the accuracy and precision in signal transduction and measurements, geometric spreading corrections, and frequency-dependent absorption estimations (see Eq. 2).

Acoustic instruments need to be calibrated frequently, as their performance will change with the deployment environment and over the life of the instrument (Demer and Hewitt, 1993; Brierley et al., 1998; Nam et al., 2007). It is best practice to calibrate a system over the range of environmental conditions encountered when measurements are made; water temperature is of particular concern for high-latitude work. Calibration methods for split-beam echosounders are well defined in the literature and are described in detail in Demer et al. (2015). In short, a small (< 50 mm) sphere of known physical properties is hung in the beam of the acoustic transducer on the experiment platform and moved throughout the acoustic beam, where its position is determined through split-aperture processing to measure variability in sensitivity. The expected backscattering from the sphere is calculated using a theoretical model for the reflection of sound by elastic spheres (MacLennan, 1981) and is compared to the measurements made in the field. The resulting calibration offset, for example C(f) in Eq. (2), adjusts the gain and filter attenuation correction factor of echosounder measurements, as well as correcting for frequency-dependent beamwidth and receive sensitivity inherent to broadband echosounders (Rogers and Van Buren, 1978).

Beyond calibration offsets, all quantitative acoustic analysis must account for the frequency-dependent absorption of acoustic energy by the propagation medium and the geometric spreading of the acoustic signal. Acoustic absorption refers to the gradual loss of energy due to interaction with water molecules and dissolved substances. Absorption is a function of both seawater properties (e.g., temperature and salinity) and frequency, and it is corrected for in logarithmic space for frequencies between 160 and 240 kHz (in dB m⁻¹) (Francois and Garrison, 1982). Geometric spreading refers to the propagation of the broadband signal outward in all directions from the transducer, resulting in a range-dependent loss of acoustic energy for a given area. Depending on the underlying physics of the scattering phenomena in question, geometric spreading can be accounted for with different range-dependent corrections, the most common being spherical spreading correction, but other corrections may be more appropriate depending on the circumstances.

Observations made by active acoustic systems are inherently ambiguous, as scattering in the water column can be associated with multiple dynamics and visually differentiating between processes is not always possible. The correct interpretation of backscattering signals requires an understanding of how acoustic systems work and proper application of corrections for sound propagation and scattering associated with targets, like those discussed in Sect. 5.2. In circumstances where these steps are skipped, the potential for inaccurately identifying water column processes and mis-quantifying geophysical parameters is high.

As discussed in Sect. 4.3, broadband spectral analysis combined with theoretical acoustic scattering models can differentiate between scattering mechanisms; however, direct measurements remain an essential and straightforward tool to inform and contextualize remote acoustic observations. Field procedures should plan to include co-located in situ sampling when possible; these data can provide context and clarity to the acoustic observations, as illustrated in Sect. 4.1, as well as inform theoretical acoustic scattering models to assist in broadband spectral analysis, as in Sect. 4.3.

The application of acoustic scattering models to explain broadband spectral characteristics or assist with acoustic-inversion methods also requires forethought and experience. Many broadband inversion methods have been developed to apply to cases in which one scattering mechanism dominates the ensonified volume, e.g., sizing gas bubbles (Weidner et al., 2019), estimating rates of TKE dissipation in a highly stratified estuary (Lavery et al., 2013). In these cases, acoustic-inversion procedures are constrained by the nature of the sampled volume, as well as by the number of free parameters in the theoretical acoustic scattering model and the quality of the in situ sampling. Water column scattering is often associated with multiple dynamics, i.e., entrained gas bubbles associated with regions of intense mixing (Marston et al., 2023). When there is no dominant scatterer in the ensonified volume, inversion efforts are limited by the unknown combination scattering from multiple phenomena and the under-sampled nature of the inversion problem. Such issues can be overcome with knowledge of the study site, quality ground-truth data, and well-defined theoretical acoustic scattering models (e.g., Loranger et al., 2022; Lavery et al., 2010).

All considerations combined, users of broadband split-beam echosounders should be prepared to refine deployment methodologies and employ noise reduction procedures to ensure the collection of high-quality acoustic data. Upon fieldwork completion, users should take the time to properly calibrate and correct data prior to analysis. Finally, users should carefully select and apply theoretical acoustic scattering models based on the best knowledge of data and model limitations for accurate and meaningful results.

Calving events, above and below the waterline, create a dangerous environment in proximity to the ice–ocean interface of tidewater glaciers. Falling or surfacing ice and the resulting surface waves pose serious dangers near the calving front. As noted earlier, there is a paucity of observations in this region due to safety concerns, which preclude direct, ship-based sampling (e.g., deployment of sensors and water sampling). In Sect. 4.2, we discussed the use of broadband scientific echosounders to fill observational gaps by making remote measurements of this region, using data collected at Hansbreen as an example. However, the broader deployment of scientific echosounders for the study of submerged glacial termini and the proximal water column requires several important safety considerations, which in turn have implications for data collection and quality. Ship-based acoustic measurements of the ice–ocean interface must be made at a minimum safe distance (MSD) from the calving front. The MSD will vary by glacier but is generally ∼200 m and accounts for the height of the ice cliff above the water line, the fjord topography and bathymetry, and the calving rate (Kohler, 2009). In fjords that are narrow or shallow, or have ice cliffs higher than 40–50 m, the MSD can be upwards of 500 m or more.

An extended MSD can impact the successful use of scientific echosounders for high-latitude studies and must be considered prior to field operations. The broadband transducer highlighted in this paper, the Simrad ES200-7CD, has a maximum useable range of approximately 250 m, beyond which signal attenuation reduces the signal-to-noise ratio below useable levels. However, signal attenuation is primarily driven by the frequency of the acoustic pulse, and several lower-frequency systems could be used to extend the data collection range to beyond 700 m. Increased distance between the acoustic transducer and the ice face also results in an increased observational area, defined by the acoustic beam footprint (e.g., the transducer beamwidth). An increased acoustic footprint limits the study of closely spaced phenomenon, such as individual bubbles, fish, or small-scale surface roughness of the ice face, but allows for a larger observational area.

Overall, the feasibility of deploying broadband scientific echosounders for the study of the ice–ocean interface of tidewater glaciers will be highly dependent on the glacier in question. Deploying a high-frequency (>200 kHz) scientific echosounder on an operator-run vessel may not be feasible in cases where the MSD is large (>200 m). In such cases, other deployment platforms could be considered, such as an uncrewed surface vehicle (USV), which can reduced the range between the transducer and submerged ice face. However, it is worth noting that integration of an acoustic system onto an USV can be complicated and will increase the cost of the deployment beyond what has been quoted in this paper.