A multispectral bayesian classification method for increased acoustic discrimination of seabed sediments using multi-frequency multibeam backscatter data

Multi-frequency backscatter data collected from multibeam echosounders (MBESs) is increasingly becoming available. The ability to collect data at multiple frequencies at the same time is expected to allow for better discrimination between seabed sediments. We propose an extension of the Bayesian method for seabed classification to multi...

Seafloor sediment characterization using multibeam echosounders without grab sampling: Opportunities and challenges

In the last two decades, the use of multibeam echosounders has been growing for seafloor mapping and characterization. The former uses bathymetry data whereas the latter makes use of backscatter data. The use of backscatter data has been the subject of intensive research to gain insight into seafloor composition using either empirical or model...

Assessment of reliability of multi-beam echo-sounder bathymetric uncertainty prediction models

Nowadays Multi-Beam Echo-Sounder (MBES) systems are used for obtaining information of the sea/river bed bathymetry and sediment composition. For the latter, use is usually made of the backscatter strength and depth derivatives, such as depth residuals. However, the depth derivatives are affected by the uncertainties inherent to the MBES varying...

Comparing Modeled and Measured Bathymetric Uncertainties: Effect of Doppler and Baseline Decorrelation

Nowadays Multi-Beam Echo-Sounder (MBES) derived bathymetry is used for a large range of applications. However, these measurements are affected by the uncertainties inherent to the MBES. Since the development of the depth uncertainty prediction model, MBES systems have been improved noticeably. The present contribution addresses the importance of...

Seafloor classification in a sand wave environment on the Dutch continental shelf using multibeam echosounder backscatter data

High resolution maps of sandy seafloors are valuable to understand seafloor dynamics, plan engineering projects, and create detailed benthic habitat maps. This paper presents multibeam echosounder backscatter classification results of the Brown Bank area of the North Sea. We apply the Bayesian classification method in a megaripple and sand...

Seafloor characterization using multibeam echosounder backscatter data: Methodology and results in the north sea

Seafloor characterization using multibeam echosounder (MBES) backscatter data is an active field of research. The observed backscatter curve (OBC) is used in an inversion algorithm with available physics-based models to determine the seafloor geoacoustic parameters. A complication is that the OBC cannot directly be coupled to the modeled...

Experimental design and stochastic modeling of hydrodynamic wave propagation within cavities for wind tunnel acoustic measurements

This study investigates how embedding microphones in different cavity geometries along the wall of a wind tunnel reduces the measured turbulent boundary layer pressure fluctuations. The effect of these cavities on the measured signal-to-noise ratio of an acoustic source with flow present was also quantified. Twelve cavity geometries defined...

Linking the morphology and ecology of subtidal soft-bottom marine benthic habitats: A novel multiscale approach

High-resolution surveying techniques of subtidal soft-bottom seafloor habitats show higher small-scale variation in topography and sediment type than previously thought, but the ecological relevance of this variation remains unclear. In addition, high-resolution surveys of benthic fauna show a large spatial variability in community...

Characterizing seabed sediments using multi-spectral backscatter data in the North Sea

Acoustic classification using single-beam and multi-beam echosounders has been widely applied in characterizing seabed sediments. Although previous studies have shown a better discrimination of fine and coarse sediments using multi-spectral echosounder data, analysis regarding comprehensive seabed sediment properties is still needed. In this...