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Recent advances in multibeam backscatter acquisition, processing and analysis methods have increased the range of applications for which multibeam systems can be used and now allow the collection of spatially and temporally coincident multispectral multibeam backscatter. Multibeam backscatter was previously considered to be a by-product of a multibeam survey, with bathymetry being the primary information. Multibeam systems acquire both bathymetry (depth) and backscatter (intensity) data. Nevertheless, acoustics remain the preferred method of imaging the seafloor because data can be acquired over a much larger area (than in-situ sampling) from almost any depth. Despite this limitation, processing tools have been developed to classify data acquired using airborne bathymetric LiDAR systems. The use of optical sensors has been restricted to depths less than 40 m due to absorption of electromagnetic radiation by water. Multibeam echosounders, sidescan sonar systems and acoustic ground discrimination systems (AGDS) are the most commonly used technologies. hard, soft, rough, smooth, mud, sand, clay, cobble) of the surveyed area. Surficial seabed classification is concerned primarily with distinguishing marine benthic habitat characteristics (e.g.
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Surficial seabed classification Classification methods Sub-surface imaging technologies use lower frequency sound to provide higher penetration, whereas surficial imaging technologies provide higher resolution imagery by utilizing higher frequencies (especially in shallow water).
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Seabed classification based on acoustic properties can be divided into two main categories surficial seabed classification and sub-surface seabed classification. Acoustic seabed classification is possible using a wide range of acoustic imaging systems including multibeam echosounders, sidescan sonar, single-beam echosounders, interferometric systems and sub-bottom profilers. Seabed characterization makes the link between the classified regions and the seabed physical, geological, chemical or biological properties. Seabed classification is one route to characterizing the seabed and its habitats. This is a particularly active area of development in the field of seabed mapping, marine geophysics, underwater acoustics and benthic habitat mapping. ( March 2015) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)Īcoustic seabed classification is the partitioning of a seabed acoustic image into discrete physical entities or classes. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations.