Low-frequency attenuation data are widely scattered. The spread most likely reflects differences in sediment type, degree of consolidation, layering, as well as other causes of effective attenuation encountered during low-frequency field measurements. Moreover, attenuation varies with depth, and longer wavelengths, i.e., low frequencies, encounter deeper sediments with different properties. The assumption that the attenuation in the sediment is constant with depth often results in interpretations which give sediment attenuations with a frequency dependence different when depth variations are included in the sediment description. Low-frequency attenuation inversions using broadband acoustic data from different field experiments will be presented and compared. Compressional wave attenuation will be estimated using modal amplitude ratios. Variation of modal attenuation coefficients with frequency and depth will be discussed. [Work supported by the Office of Naval Research.]

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