A high-resolution seismic profiling system using a deep-towed horizontal hydrophone streamer

A seismic reflection profiling system utilising a surface air gun source and a deep-towed horizontal hydrophone streamer has been developed for high resolution studies in the deep ocean. The instrument is deployed on a conventional armoured single conductor cable at depths of up to 6 km. Seismic data from the 30 m long streamer is wide-band frequency modulated up the towing cable to the ship together with a high frequency monitor from a 3.5 kHz echo-sounder mounted on the instrument package. The geometry of the system allows an order of magnitude improvement in spatial resolution compared with that obtained from standard surface source/receiver configurations. The summed hydrophones of the streamer attenuate cable-generated mechanical noise, and the 3.5 kHz sea-surface and bottom reflected returns provide receiver positioning information. The system has been successfully deployed at depths of 5 km in the Vema Fracture Zone in the North Atlantic, and although initially difficulties were experienced in balancing the streamer, subsequent profiles across the transform fault show details of sub-bottom structure which on conventional surface records are generally masked by diffraction hyperbolae.     

Geoacoustic seafloor exploration with a towed array in a shallowwater area of the Strait of Sicily

Acoustic propagation in shallow water is greatly dependent on the geoacoustic properties of the seabottom. This paper exploits this dependence for estimating geoacoustic sediment properties from the bottom acoustic returns of known signals received on a hydrophone line array. There are two major issues in this approach: one is the feasibility of acoustic inversion with a limited aperture line array, the other is related to the knowledge of the geometry of the experimental configuration. To test the feasibility of this approach, a 40-hydrophone-4-m spaced towed array together with a low-frequency acoustic source, was operated at a shallow water site in the Strait of Sicily. In order to estimate the array deformation in real time, it has been equipped with a set of nonacoustic positioning sensors (compasses, tilt-meters, pressure gauges). The acoustic data were inverted using two complementary approaches: a genetic algorithm (GA) like approach and a radial basis functions (RBF) inversion scheme. More traditional methods, based on core sampling, seismic survey and geophone data, together with Hamilton's regression curves, have also been employed on the same tracks, in order to provide a ground truth reference environment. The results of the experiment, can be summarized as follows: 1) the towed array movement is not negligible for the application considered and the use of positioning sensors are essential for a proper acoustic inversion, 2) the inversion with GA and RBF are in good qualitative agreement with the ground truth model, and 3) the GA scheme tends to have better stability properties. On the other hand, repeated in version of successive field measurements requires much less computational effort with RBF     

Quantitative seafloor characterization using a bathymetric sidescansonar

Bathymetry and backscatter measurements from a 120-kHz phase-difference sonar are analysed in terms of statistical and spectral characteristics. Data from a multisensor, multiscale survey of the Juan de Fuca Ridge are compared across three distinct geological provinces: sediment pond, ridge flank, and axial valley. The detrended bathymetry follows a Gaussian distribution; the power spectral density can be approximately described by a power law. The composite multiscale power spectrum demonstrates a similar slope spanning a spatial frequency range from about 0.005 to 50 cycles/m, corresponding to a range of geological features from a few hundred meters down to several centimeters. The backscattering strength and grazing-angle dependencies agree with previous empirical studies; data from a sediment-pond region are shown to match theoretical predictions of the composite-roughness model. Histograms of the echo amplitude are characterized by a multimodal Rayleigh probability density function. For all analyses, the data show distinct differences among the three provinces     

A framework to quantify uncertainties of seafloor backscatter from swath mapping echosounders

Multibeam echosounders (MBES) have become a widely used acoustic remote sensing tool to map and study the seafloor, providing co-located bathymetry and seafloor backscatter. Although the uncertainty associated with MBES-derived bathymetric data has been studied extensively, the question of backscatter uncertainty has been addressed only minimally and hinders the quantitative use of MBES seafloor backscatter. This paper explores approaches to identifying uncertainty sources associated with MBES-derived backscatter measurements. The major sources of uncertainty are catalogued and the magnitudes of their relative contributions to the backscatter uncertainty budget are evaluated. These major uncertainty sources include seafloor insonified area (1–3 dB), absorption coefficient (up to >?6 dB), random fluctuations in echo level (5.5 dB for a Rayleigh distribution), and sonar calibration (device dependent). The magnitudes of these uncertainty sources vary based on how these effects are compensated for during data acquisition and processing. Various cases (no compensation, partial compensation and full compensation) for seafloor insonified area, transmission losses and random fluctuations were modeled to estimate their uncertainties in different scenarios. Uncertainty related to the seafloor insonified area can be reduced significantly by accounting for seafloor slope during backscatter processing while transmission losses can be constrained by collecting full water column absorption coefficient profiles (temperature and salinity profiles). To reduce random fluctuations to below 1 dB, at least 20 samples are recommended to be used while computing mean values. The estimation of uncertainty in backscatter measurements is constrained by the fact that not all instrumental components are characterized and documented sufficiently for commercially available MBES. Further involvement from manufacturers in providing this essential information is critically required.     

Analysis of seafloor backscatter strength dependence on the survey azimuth using multibeam echosounder data

The sediment backscatter strength measured by multibeam echosounders is a key feature for seafloor mapping either qualitative (image mosaics) or quantitative (extraction of classifying features). An important phenomenon, often underestimated, is the dependence of the backscatter level on the azimuth angle imposed by the survey line directions: strong level differences at varying azimuth can be observed in case of organized roughness of the seabed, usually caused by tide currents over sandy sediments. This paper presents a number of experimental results obtained from shallow-water cruises using a 300-kHz multibeam echosounder and specially dedicated to the study of this azimuthal effect, with a specific configuration of the survey strategy involving a systematic coverage of reference areas following “compass rose” patterns. The results show for some areas a very strong dependence of the backscatter level, up to about 10-dB differences at intermediate oblique angles, although the presence of these ripples cannot be observed directly—neither from the bathymetry data nor from the sonar image, due to the insufficient resolution capability of the sonar. An elementary modeling of backscattering from rippled interfaces explains and comforts these observations. The consequences of this backscatter dependence upon survey azimuth on the current strategies of backscatter data acquisition and exploitation are discussed.     

Backscatter calibration of high-frequency multibeam echosounder using a reference single-beam system,on natural seafloor

The calibration of multibeam echosounders for backscatter measurements can be conducted efficiently and accurately using data from surveys over a reference natural area, implying appropriate measurements of the local absolute values of backscatter. Such a shallow area (20-m mean depth) has been defined and qualified in the Bay of Brest (France), and chosen as a reference area for multibeam systems operating at 200 and 300 kHz. The absolute reflectivity over the area was measured using a calibrated single-beam fishery echosounder (Simrad EK60) tilted at incidence angles varying between 0° and 60° with a step of 3°. This reference backscatter level is then compared to the average backscatter values obtained by a multibeam echosounder (here a Kongsberg EM 2040-D) at a close frequency and measured as a function of angle; the difference gives the angular bias applicable to the multibeam system for recorded level calibration. The method is validated by checking the single- and multibeam data obtained on other areas with sediment types different from the reference area.     

Study on visual control system of acoustic in situ measurement technology for survey of seafloor sediment

Abstract

A new kind of visual acoustic measurement system was developed to obtain the acoustic characteristics of seabed sediment and the working state of in situ measuring equipment in real time. The control unit of the system structure is mainly made up of the underwater control unit and the deck control unit. In comparison with similar traditional systems, the system can transmit the working video image, the measured acoustic data and the waveform synchronous from the underwater control equipment to the deck control unit through the connecting cable. Apart from self-contained in situ measurement, the working modes of it include visual online real-time control. In order to guarantee the stability and measurement precision of the video control system, the process control of in situ measurement was strictly tested in the experimental tank. In 2017, sea trials of the in situ measurement system was carried out in the South China Sea. In the process, data related to measurement, including the acoustic velocity and attenuation coefficient of the seabed sediment, were obtained as well. The results from sea trials show that the control process of the visual system is intuitive, reliable and accurate, and therefore it can be popularized and applied.     

一种分层海底反向散射模型

In order to predict the bottom backscattering strength more accurately, the stratified structure of the seafloor is considered. The seafloor is viewed as an elastic half-space basement covered by a fluid sediment layer with finite thickness. On the basis of calculating acoustic field in the water, the sediment layer, and the basement, four kinds of scattering mechanisms are taken into account, including roughness scattering from the water-sediment interface, volume scattering from the sediment layer, roughness scattering from the sediment-basement interface,and volume scattering from the basement. Then a backscattering model for a stratified seafloor applying to low frequency(0.1–10 kHz) is established. The simulation results show that the roughness scattering from the sediment-basement interface and the volume scattering from the basement are more prominent at relative low frequency(below 1.0 kHz). While with the increase of the frequency, the contribution of them to total bottom scattering gradually becomes weak. And the results ultimately approach to the predictions of the high-frequency(10–100 kHz) bottom scattering model. When the sound speed and attenuation of the shear wave in the basement gradually decrease, the prediction of the model tends to that of the full fluid model, which validates the backscattering model for the stratified seafloor in another aspect.     

台湾海峡南部沉积物中某些重金属元素的背景值

本文根据台湾海峡南部海区沉积物中Ｍｎ、Ｃｏ、Ｎｉ、Ｃｕ、Ｚｎ、Ｃｄ、Ｐｂ等重金属元素含量、中值粒径和细粒组分的等值线平面分布的相似，三者从岸到海和沿岸变化特征的一致，以及重金属元素之间、其和粒度组分之间的显著相关，建立四组估算重金属元素背景值的回归方程，并以统计检验方法择优。结合沉积物样本的测定值和回归方程的计算值，选取总体均值μｙ估计值９５％置信区间作为重金属元素的平均背景值区间。以细粒组分及其     

Walrus foraging marks on the seafloor in Bristol Bay, Alaska: a reconnaissance survey

A reconnaissance sidescan sonar survey in Bristol Bay, Alaska revealed extensive areas of seafloor with features related to walrus foraging. They are similar to those seen in areas such as the outer Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea. Two types of feature were observed: (a) small (≪1 m diameter) shallow pits, often in clusters ranging in density from 5 pits per hectare to 35 pits per hectare; and, (b) more abundant, narrow, sinuous furrows, typically 5 to 10 m long with some reaching 20 m or more. Most foraging marks were in less than 60 m water depth in areas of sandy seafloor that were smooth, hummocky or characterized by degraded bedforms; the absence of foraging marks in other areas may be related, in part, to their more dynamic nature. The distribution of foraging marks was consistent in a general way with walrus locations from satellite telemetry studies.     

High-resolution seafloor mapping using the DSL-120 sonar system: Quantitative assessment of sidescan and phase-bathymetry data from the Lucky Strike segment of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

High-resolution, side-looking sonar data collected near the seafloor (100 m altitude) provide important structural and topographic information for defining the geological history and current tectonic framework of seafloor terrains. DSL-120 kHz sonar data collected in the rift valley of the Lucky Strike segment of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge near 37° N provide the ability to quantitatively assess the effective resolution limits of both the sidescan imagery and the computed phase-bathymetry of this sonar system. While the theoretical, vertical and horizontal pixel resolutions of the DSL-120 system are <1 m, statistical analysis of DSL-120 sonar data collected from the Lucky Strike segment indicates that the effective spatial resolution of features is 1–2 m for sidescan imagery and 4 m for phase-bathymetry in the seafloor terrain of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge rift valley. Comparison of multibeam bathymetry data collected at the sea-surface with deep-tow DSL-120 bathymetry indicates that depth differences are on the order of the resolution of the multibeam system (10–30 m). Much of this residual can be accounted for by navigational mismatches and the higher resolving ability of the DSL-120 data, which has a bathymetric footprint on the seafloor that is 20 times smaller than that of hull-mounted multibeam at these seafloor depths (2000 m). Comparison of DSL-120 bathymetry with itself on crossing lines indicates that residual depth values are ±20 m, with much of that variation being accounted for by navigational errors. A DSL-120 survey conducted in 1998 on the Juan de Fuca Ridge with better navigation and less complex seafloor terrain had residual depth values half those of the Lucky Strike survey. The quality of the bathymetry data varies as a function of position within the swath, with poorer data directly beneath the tow vehicle and also towards the swath edges.Variations in sidescan amplitude observed across the rift valley and on Lucky Strike Seamount correlate well with changes in seafloor roughness caused by transitions from sedimented seafloor to bare rock outcrops. Distinct changes in sonar backscatter amplitude were also observed between areas covered with hydrothermal pavement that grade into lava flows and the collapsed surface of the lava lake in the summit depression of Lucky Strike Seamount. Small features on the seafloor, including volcanic constructional features (e.g., small cones, haystacks, fissures and collapse features) and hydrothermal vent chimneys or mounds taller than 2 m and greater than 9 m² in surface area, can easily be resolved and mapped using this system. These features at Lucky Strike have been confirmed visually using the submersible Alvin, the remotely operated vehicle Jason, and the towed optical/acoustic mapping system Argo II.     

利用 Argo 数据计算吕宋海峡以东海域水文特性参数和流场 *

利用2006年Argo浮标资料分析吕宋海峡以东海域水团季节特性和混合层的月平均变化规律;并分别利用Argo多年季节平均资料与2006年资料,以秋季为例,基于P矢量方法计算该区域流场;同时考虑风生流的影响,将所得结果分别与利用Levitus和高度计资料计算的流场进行比较。结果表明,水团特性季节变化不明显,春冬季表层水团与夏秋季比较表现为低温高盐;次表层、中层和深层季节变化不大;混合层深度明显表现为冬季最深、夏季最浅的季节性变化。利用2002—2009年Argo季节平均资料基于P矢量方法能得到地转流场的基本结构,与Levitus资料的计算结果相比较,除可以反映黑潮,还可以反映一些涡旋结构;利用2006年秋季Argo资料计算流场与高度计资料计算的地转流场比较,其流场结构位置吻合得比较好,但存在流速偏小等不足,这可能与Argo资料较少且分布不均以及插值误差等有关,但其可以获得流场的三维结构,而利用高度计资料计算只能得到表层流场结构。     

Swath mapping of the seafloor and its application to deep-bottom fisheries in New Caledonia

A bottom longline fishery operated in the EEZ of New Caledonia from 1988 to 1991. Fishing focused on five seamounts with summits at depths ranging from 500 to 750 m. The target species was alfonsino, Beryx splendens. As the soundings available from marine charts were not detailed enough, the fishing masters had to make their own charts in order to set the gear in the right location. A series of 11 scientific cruises devoted to a research program on alfonsino was launched in late 1991. During the first scientific cruises, several days were spent mapping the seabed to improve the existing knowledge of the topography of three seamounts by coupling the EDO echosounder depth measurements to the GPS positions. As this procedure is slow, it is applicable to limited areas or, if a wider grid is used, to large zones to locate major structures such as ridges and seamounts. The emergence of the multibeam echosounder has greatly improved seabed mapping performance. This tool seems to fit the requirement of exploratory deep-bottom fishing particularly well, as it covers large areas while providing details of the bottom. The EM 12 was used to obtain bathymetry and imagery of the SE portion of the EEZ of New Caledonia, covering an approximate area of 70,000 km² in two weeks. For depths ranging from 500 to 4,500 m, the results were impressive. They confirmed the known major features and provided greater topographical detail, revealing fine unknown structures. They also provided information on the type of substratum, information which might influence the fishing strategy. Finally, they made it possible to obtain an accurate estimate of the exploitable area which in turn led to new stock estimates.     

Detection of acoustic class boundaries in soft sediment systems using the seafloor acoustic discrimination system QTC VIEW

Transition zones (or ‘ecotones’) are ecologically important spatial elements of subtidal landscapes that represent a mixture of different habitat elements. We provide a method for identifying such areas in broad-scale surveys of the seafloor using the acoustic discrimination system QTC VIEW. QTC VIEW is an acoustic processing system that assigns sonar ping stacks to clusters of like points, to identify different habitats on the seafloor. Paired QTC VIEW transects (20 m spacing) were run at intervals of 200 m, at two separate sampling locations, to assess the consistency of clustering of individual ping stacks into acoustic classes. Very consistent spatial patterns of class change were found between transect pairs, suggesting high stability in the classification process. QTC VIEW assigns confidence values to each individual record; running averages calculated using a moving window along transects showed drops in confidence values associated with areas of transition in habitat class assignment, but this was not always consistent. The Berger–Parker index, a class dominance statistic, provided a more consistent transition indicator. Class transition ranged from abrupt to gradual, along with areas where a mixture of acoustic classes occurred. However, acoustically detected transition zones did not consistently respond to visual observations of the sea floor.     

台湾海峡西部海域水体中的二氧化碳体系

据１９８４年５月至１９８５年２月的调查资料，计算了该水体中二氧化碳体系各要素的统计值，着重研究了它们的季节变化及其与水文，化学和生物因子的关系。结果表明该水体中ＰＣＯ２，ＣＯ２（Ｔ），ＣＯ＾２＾－３，ＨＣＯ３，∑ＣＯ２，ＣＯ＾２＾－３／∑ＣＯ２，ＨＣＯ３／∑ＣＯ２，ＨＣＯ２，ＣＯ２（Ｔ），ＣＯ＾２＾－３，∑ＣＯ２／Ｃｌ，Ωｃ，Ωａ和Ｃ：Ｎ：Ｐ平均值依次分别为２５１ｄＰａ，８．４３μｍｏｌ／ｄｍ×３     

Optimal localization of a seafloor transponder in shallow water using acoustic ranging and GPS observations

This study utilized circular and straight-line survey patterns for acoustic ranging to determine the position of a seafloor transponder and mean sound speed of the water column. To reduce the considerable computational burden and eliminate the risk of arriving at a local minimum on least-squares inversion, the position of a seafloor transponder was estimated by utilizing optimization approaches. Based on the implicit function theorem, the Jacobian for this inverse problem was derived to investigate the constraints of employing circular and straight-line survey patterns to estimate the position of a transponder. Both cases, with and without knowledge of the vertical sound speed profile, were considered. A transponder positioning experiment was conducted at sea to collect acoustic and GPS observations. With significant uncertainties inherent in GPS measurements and the use of a commercial acoustic transponder not designed for precise ranging, experimental results indicate that the transponder position can be estimated accurately on the order of decimeters. Moreover, the mean sound speed of the water column estimated by the proposed optimization scheme is in agreement with that derived from conductivity, temperature, and density (CTD) measurements.     

A simplified approach to backscattering from a rough seafloor withsediment inhomogeneities

Current models used to predict the backscattering strength of the ocean floor are either very involved, requiring geoacoustic parameters usually unavailable for the site in practical applications, or overly simplistic, relying mainly on empirical terms such as Lambert's law. In any case, solutions are very approximate and the problem is still far from being solved. In this paper, a model is presented that avoids empirical functional forms yet requires only a few physical parameters to describe the surficial sediments, often tabulated for typical sediments. The aim of this paper is to develop a simple algorithm for operational prediction of bottom reverberation with only one free parameter, i.e., the volume scattering coefficient. The algorithm combines a two scale surface scattering model with scattered contributions originating from inhomogeneities within the sediments, talking into consideration the rough interface. No specific mechanism is assumed for scattering at the volume inhomogeneities; however, the inhomogeneities are assumed to be uniform and isotropic. The volume scattering coefficient, combined with the bottom attenuation and density and referenced to the surface, plays a role similar to the Lambert's constant in empirical models. The model is exercised on a variety of published datasets for low and moderately high frequency. In general, the model performs very well for both fast and slow sediments, showing a definite improvement over Lambert's law     

Reflection profiling in the deep ocean using a near bottom hydrophone

A 20 km long high resolution seismic reflection profile was carried out approximately 300 km southwest of Bermuda. The data were collected using a small airgun sound source and a single hydrophone receiver towed 100 m above the seafloor at a depth of 5400 m. Comparisons with nearby conventional seismic reflection profiles show the considerable improvement of resolving power provided by this method, particularly of the basement morphology beneath the 700 m thick sediment column. The data were recorded digitally and selected data examples show the enhancement provided by filtering, stacking, source deconvolution and corrections for hydrophone motion. The precise picture of basement topography that results from this data is compared with deep tow bathymetry profiles of the present day mid-Atlantic Ridge flanks, and is seen to be remarkably similar.     

Small-scale variability of seafloor features in the northern Peru Basin: Results from acoustic survey methods

During RV SONNE cruise SO-79 to the eastern Pacific Ocean, two areas of about 65×80 km in the northern Peru Basin were surveyed with the acoustic mapping systems HYDROSWEEP (bathymetry), PARASOUND (3.5 kHz high-resolution seismic system), and a deep-towed side-scan sonar system. In addition, we sampled sediments using piston and box corers. The data show an unexpected variability of seafloor features: The bathymetry is characterized by an abyssal hill topography with predominately N-S ridges up to 300 m high, and scattered volcanic hills. Moreover, one 2000-m-high seamount was mapped. PARASOUND shows several distinct reflectors within the sediment cover, all of which are attributed to carbonate-rich strata. In the northern area, the uppermost prominent reflector is related to the Mid-Brunhes Event (0.45 Ma) in the sediment cores, while the lowermost represents acoustic basement. In the southern area, the seismic pattern reveals an upper opaque zone and a lower transparent zone. The base of the opaque zone is marked by a distinct reflector which corresponds to a huge carbonate peak (6–7 Ma) in the sediment cores. However, despite this general pattern, the PARASOUND records show a highly variable situation, with the distribution of sediment echo types strongly influenced by the seafloor topography. The side-scan sonar revealed the existence of numerous small volcanic cones up to 25 m high and nearly free of sediment. Additionally, the sonar records show a patchy (up to 800 m across) seafloor reflectiviti. We interpret this patchiness as a local lack of manganese nodule coverage. Volcanic cones and the most distinct nodule-free patches are usually on ridges. We interpret this variability as caused by winnowing and erosion, an interpretation that is supported by the occurrence of outcrops of Tertiary strata. This regional small-scale variability argues for a highly dynamic depositional history of the Peru Basin.