Abstract
This paper examines the potential for remote classification of seafloor terrains using a combination of quantitative acoustic backscatter measurements and high resolution bathymetry derived from two classes of sonar systems currently used by the marine research community: multibeam echo-sounders and bathymetric sidescans sonar systems. The high-resolution bathymetry is important, not only to determine the topography of the area surveyed, but to provide accurate bottom slope corrections needed to convert the arrival angles of the seafloor echoes received by the sonars into true angles of incidence. An angular dependence of seafloor acoustic backscatter can then be derived for each region surveyed, making it possible to construct maps of acoustic backscattering strength in geographic coordinates over the areas of interest. Such maps, when combined with the high-resolution bathymetric maps normally compiled from the data output by the above sonar systems, could be very effective tools to quantify bottom types on a regional basis, and to develop automatic seafloor classification routines.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alexandrou, D., and de Moustier, C., 1988, Adaptive noise cancelling applied to Sea Beam sidelobe interference rejection,IEEE J. Oceanic Eng.,13 (2), 70–76.
Alexandrou, D., de Moustier, C., and Haralabus, G., 1992, Evaluation and verification of bottom acoustic reverberation statistics predicted by the point scattering model,J. Acoust. Soc. Am.,91 (3), 1403–1413.
Barone, A. M., and Ryan, W. B. F., 1988, Along-Axis Variations within the Plate Boundary Zone of the Southern Segment of the Endeavour Ridge,J. Geophys. Res.,93 (B7), 7856–7868.
Blackinton, J. G., Hussong, D. M., and Steenstrup, J., 1991, Seafloor Cable Surveys,Sea Technology,32 (7), 33–39.
Cervenka, P., de Moustier, C., and Lonsdale, P. F., 1990, Pixel relocation in SeaMARC II sidescan sonar images based on gridded Sea Beam bathymetry, EOS,Trans. Amer. Geophys. Union,71 (43), 1407–1408. 1990.
Davis, E. E., Currie, R. G., Sawyer, B. S., and Kosalos, J. G., 1986, The use of swath bathymetric and acoustic image mapping tools in Marine Geoscience,Mar. Tech. Soc. J. 20 (4), 17–27.
Hammerstad, E., Pohner, F., Parthiot, F., and Bennett, J., 1991, Field testing of a new deep water multibeam echo-sounder,Proc. IEEE Oceans '91,2, 743–749.
Jackson, D. R., Winebrenner, D. P., and Ishimaru, A., 1986, Application of the composite roughness model to high-frequency bottom backscattering,J. Acoust. Soc. Am.,79 (5), 1410–1422.
Ulaby, F. T., Allen, C. T., and Fung, A. K., 1983, Method for retrieving the true backscattering coefficient from measurements with a real antenna,IEEE Trans. on Geoscience and Remote Sensing,GE-21 (3), 308–313.
Matsumoto, H., 1990, Characteristics of the SeaMARC II phase data,IEEE J. Oceanic Eng.,15 (4), 350–360.
Mitchell, N. C., and Somers, M. L., 1989, Quantitative Backscatter Measurements with a Long-Range Side-Scan Sonar,IEEE J. Oceanic Eng.,14 (4), 368–374.
de Moustier, C., 1986-a, Approaches to acoustic backscattering measurements from the deep seafloor, Symposium on Current Practices and New Technology in Ocean Engineering,Am. Soc. Mech. Eng., OED 11, 137–143. (Reprinted in Trans. of the ASME,J. Energy Resources Tech.,110, 77–84, 1988).
de Moustier, C., 1986-b, Beyong bathymetry: mapping acoustic backscattering from the deep seafloor with Sea Beam,J. Acoust. Soc. Am.,79 (2), 316–331.
de Moustier, C., 1988, State of the art in swath bathymetry survey systems,International Hydrographic Review, Monaco,LXV (2), 25–54.
de Moustier, C., Matsumoto, H., and Shor, A. N., 1990, Open ocean acoustic calibration of the SeaMARC II bathymetry sidescan sonar system,Proc. IEEE Oceans '90, Washington D.C., 523–527.
de Moustier, C., and Alexandrou, D., 1991, Angular dependence of 12 kHz seafloor acoustic backscatter,J. Acoust. Soc. Am.,90 (1), 522–531.
de Moustier, C., Masnadi-Shirazi, M. A., and Cervenka, P., 1991, Integrated processing for bathymetry and sidescan data in swath bathymetry side-looking sonars, EOS,Trans. Am. Geophys. U.,72 (44), 249–250.
National Research Council, Marine Board, 1989, Our seabed frontier, challenges and choices, National Academy Press.
Ol'shevskii, V. V., 1967, Characteristics of sea reverberation, Consultant Bureau, Plenum Press, N.Y.
Pace N. G., and Gao, H., 1988, Swathe seabed classification,IEEE J. Oceanic Eng.,13 (2), 83–89.
Reed, T. B. IV, and Hussong, D. M., 1989, Quantitative Analysis of SeaMARC II Side-Scan Sonar Imagery,J. Geophys. Res.,94 (B6), 7469–7490.
Reut, Z., Pace, N. G., and Heaton, M. J. P., 1985, Computer Classification of Sea Beds by Sonar,Nature 314, 426–428.
Shor, A. N., 1990, SeaMARC II seafloor mapping system: Seven years of Pacific research,Proc. Pacific Rim Congress 90 3 49–59.
Stanton, T. K., 1984, Sonar Estimates of Seafloor Microroughness,J. Acoust. Soc. of Am.,75 (3), 809–818.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
De Moustier, C., Matsumoto, H. Seafloor acoustic remote sensing with multibeam echo-sounders and bathymetric sidescan sonar systems. Mar Geophys Res 15, 27–42 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01204150
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01204150