HR: 1330h
AN: OS42A-0833    [PDF]
TI: Multibeam Sonar Image Classification
AU: * Ferrini, V
EM: vferrini@ic.sunysb.edu
AF: Marine Sciences Research Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5000
AU: Flood, R D
EM: roger.flood@sunysb.edu
AF: Marine Sciences Research Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5000
AB: High-frequency multibeam sonar has become an increasingly common geophysical tool used in shallow water environments. It is used to rapidly acquire depth and co-registered backscatter intensity data, effectively providing a snapshot view of the seabed. These high-resolution data contain detailed information about the morphology and texture of the modern layer of the stratigraphic record that can be used to understand the dynamics of the sedimentary environment if patterns in the acoustic imagery can be related to the physical environment. Using data collected with an EM 3000 (300 kHz) multibeam sonar system at the Shallow-Water High Frequency Acoustics Experiment site (SAX99) off western Florida, we have developed image classification techniques that can be used to aid acoustic image interpretation. This particular dataset is ideally suited for developing classification algorithms because multibeam tracks were closely spaced and lines were run in several orientations. In addition, the site had relatively uniform water depth and sediment type with the exception of a muddy trough that transects the survey area. Within the sandy sediments are seabed ripples with wavelengths of approximately 70 cm. The image classification techniques focus primarily on multibeam acoustic backscatter data and can be used to distinguish broad transitions in sediment type (mud v. sand). In addition, we are able to detect variations in ripple properties throughout the sandy region of the survey area. We also apply these methods to EM 3000 data collected in other environments, including the Hudson River, in order to verify their validity. By utilizing other datasets, we are able to better understand the acoustic image classification as it relates to the physical environment.
DE: 4259 Ocean acoustics
DE: 4294 Instruments and techniques
SC: Ocean Sciences [OS]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting