Classifying sediments on Dutch riverbeds using multi-beam echo-sounder systems

Abstract

The economic importance of the Dutch rivers is very high as they are heavily used for inland waterway transport between the Netherlands and their neighbouring countries. A minimum depth must be guaranteed to keep the rivers navigable but also to ensure that the ships can carry maximum cargo. An attractive system for obtaining information about the riverbed bathymetry is the multi-beam echo-sounder (MBES). Furthermore, the MBES received echoes due to acoustic backscatter from the sediments in theory also allow for discriminating between different sediments. The aim of the research presented in this thesis was to develop methods for discriminating between different river sediments using MBES measurements. In order to fulfil this aim, MBES surveys were performed in the Rhine river and the Meuse river between 2007 and 2010. The research shows that indeed the MBES system can be used for discriminating between the different sediments present in the river areas. In addition an important finding is that areas differing in sediment type require different classification approaches.