基于合成孔径声学深拖调查的海底浅表层流体活动研究——以SAMS DT6000深拖在琼东南海域调查为例

声学深拖作为一个声学设备搭载平台,主要功能是获取高分辨率的声学数据,精细刻画海底地形地貌特征以及浅层剖面结构,对于研究海底浅表层流体活动系统的类型、形成机制和演化模式有着重要作用.本文介绍的合成孔径声学深拖（Synthetic Aperture Sonar Deep-tow）搭载了合成孔径声呐、浅地层剖面仪以及多波束系统等声学设备,相比于传统的侧扫声呐,合成孔径声呐采用小物理孔径基阵通过信号处理虚拟合成大孔径基阵来获得方位向高分辨率,大大提高了测绘速率,同时结合高分辨率的浅地层剖面和多波束背散射数据,可实现海底浅表层特征的三维立体显示.为查明调查区海底浅层流体活动的声学特征,分析天然气水合物相关的流体渗漏活动性与浅层构造之间的关系,我们利用声学深拖对研究区进行了全覆盖的扫测,获得了高分辨率的合成孔径声呐图像、浅地层剖面资料以及多波束背散射数据,平面上识别出多个呈条带状的海底丘状体,火焰状的流体渗漏,新月形的麻坑构造等流体活动地质构造;浅层剖面上可见气体聚集的声学空白段落,凸起的活跃喷口,以及反射杂乱的柱状浑浊带.通过识别流体活动的特征,我们总结了浅层流体活动演化模式具有周期性：游离气体通过高渗透运移通道上升至海底,首先扩散聚集造成局部沉积物体积膨胀形成丘状体;然后受其各种外界因素影响丘状体崩塌而引起气体渗漏;最后流体逸散剥蚀海底松散沉积物而形成麻坑构造;随着流体排出,喷口重新闭合,流体在地层中再次聚集,聚集的气体又将沉积地层上拱,在麻坑底部又可能生成含气丘状体.海底浅表层蕴藏着丰富的地质信息,这对于研究海底复杂的流体活动有着重要意义.     

Unsupervised fuzzy classification and object-based image analysis of multibeam data to map deep water substrates, Cook Strait, New Zealand

A comprehensive 32 kHz multibeam bathymetry and backscatter survey of Cook Strait, New Zealand (∼8500 km²), is used to generate a regional substrate classification map over a wide range of water depths, seafloor substrates and geological landforms using an automated mapping method based on the textural image analysis of backscatter data. Full processing of the backscatter is required in order to obtain an image with a strongly attenuated specular reflection. Image segmentation of the merged backscatter and bathymetry layers is constrained using shape, compactness, and texture measures. The number of classes and their spatial distribution are statistically identified by employing an unsupervised fuzzy-c-means (FCM) clustering algorithm to sediment samples, independent of the backscatter data. Classification is achieved from the overlay of the FCM result onto a segmented image and attributing segments with the FCM class. Four classes are identified and uncertainty in class attribution is quantified by a confusion index layer. Validation of the classification map is done by comparing the results with the sediment and structural maps. Backscatter (BS) strength angular profiles are used to show acoustic class separation. The method takes us one step further in combining multibeam data with physical seabed data in a complementary analysis to seek correlations between datasets using object-based image analysis and unsupervised classification. Texture within these identified classes is then examined for correlation with typical backscatter angular responses for mud, sand and gravel. The results show a first order correlation between each of the classes and both the sedimentary properties and the geomorphological map.     

A bottom-up methodology for integrating underwater video and acoustic mapping for seafloor substrate classification

A method that links acoustic mapping data to underwater video observations of seafloor substrate is described for use in defining fish habitat. Three study areas in the Aleutian Islands were acoustically mapped using sidescan and multibeam sonar. The sidescan sonar data were used to compute average reflectivity (hardness) and seafloor complexity. The multibeam depth data were used to determine local slope, rugosity (seafloor roughness) and relative height. Underwater video was collected from three to four transects in each of the three study areas. The underwater video was used to classify the seafloor into nine observed primary and secondary substrate classes. A statistical relationship between the observed (video) and the remotely sensed (acoustic) seafloor characteristics was estimated using a classification tree. The best classification tree utilized rugosity, reflectivity and complexity data and produced misclassification rates of less than 25% overall. Mean grain size of sediment samples was not strongly related to the acoustic data. Error rates were highest for those substrate classes with the smallest number of data points. The results highlight the need for adequate sample sizes and coverage of all potential substrate types when groundtruthing acoustic maps.     

Relationships between multibeam backscatter,sediment grain size and Posidonia oceanica seagrass distribution

The use of data, including bathymetry, backscatter intensity and the angular response of backscatter intensity, collected using multibeam sonar (MBS) systems to recognise seabed types was evaluated in the inner shelf of central western Sardinia (western Mediterranean sea), a site characterised by a complex seabed including sandy and gravelly sediments, Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds growing on hardgrounds (i.e. biogenic carbonates) and sedimentary substrates.     

Multi-beam backscatter measurements used to infer seabed habitats

Backscatter from multi-beam sonar (MBS) was used to discriminate ecologically relevant seabed characteristics based on 62 reference sites sampled with georeferenced video, sediment grab and rock dredge between 50 and 500 m water depth. A simple biotope characteristic of soft (unconsolidated) and hard (consolidated) was used to compare the acoustic backscatter data with the data on mega-epifauna and substrate type obtained from video and physical sampling. Substrate type of homogeneous reference sites was predicted by matching the backscatter incidence angle profile (0–70°) to that of a seabed scattering model. Referencing the seabed backscatter to a consistent incidence angle (40°) gave a metric with high spatial resolution (2.4–20 m), which minimised errors of range, incident angle and beam compensation. This simple metric provided a consistent approach to analyse and interpret the data and was strongly correlated with substrate type and faunal functional groups. The high resolution backscatter metric was a closer match to the small spatial scale of seabed patch lengths observed by video (50% <50 m).     

结合遗传算法的LVQ神经网络在声学底质分类中的应用

学习向量量化（Learning Vector Quantization,LVQ）神经网络在声学底质分类中具有广泛应用. 常用的LVQ神经网络存在神经元未被充分利用以及算法对初值敏感的问题,影响底质分类精度. 本文提出采用遗传算法（Genetic Algorithms,GA）优化神经网络的初始值,将GA与LVQ神经网络结合起来,迅速得到最佳的神经网络初始权值向量,实现对海底基岩、砾石、砂、细砂以及泥等底质类型的快速、准确识别. 将其应用于青岛胶州湾海区底质分类识别研究中,通过与标准的LVQ神经网络的分类结果进行比较表明,该方法在分类速度以及精度上都有了较大提高.     

一种新型海底沉积物声学原位测量系统的研制及应用

为了能够精确地测量海底表层沉积物的声学参数,自主研制了一种新型海底沉积物声学原位测量系统,与国内外传统的声学原位测量系统相比,该系统能够实时显示声波波形,调整测量参数,其工作方式除了站位式测量之外,还实现了拖行式连续测量,极大地提高了工作效率.根据前期海试情况,对海底仪器结构进行了重新设计,使之可以同时测量海底沉积物及海底海水的声学参数,同时建立了双向数字信道,解决了测量过程中系统信号的干扰问题.该系统的结构分为两部分:甲板控制单元和水下测量单元,整套系统通过主机控制程序进行控制,采用GPS定位系统测定仪器的大地坐标.为了检验系统的稳定性及准确性,分别进行了实验室水槽实验和海上试验.利用水声测量设备对测量系统进行实验室水槽标定分析,实验结果表明系统测量值相对误差仅为0.04%,测量结果具有较高的精度.海上试验在青岛胶州湾和东海海域进行,获得了试验区域海底沉积物声速和声衰减系数的测量数据,将测量数据与他人的研究结果进行对比分析,结果表明测量数据与前人研究结果一致,较为准确.该原位测量系统在站位式测量和拖行式测量中都能够快速准确地测量出沉积物声速和声衰减系数,可以作为海底底质声学测量的调查设备.     

Shallow gas in the muddy sediments of Eckernförde Bay, Germany

The seafloor of central Eckernförde Bay is characterised by soft muddy sediments that contain free methane gas. Bubbles of free gas cause acoustic turbidity which is observed with acoustic remote sensing systems. Repeated surveys with subbottom profiler and side scan sonar revealed an annual period both of depth of the acoustic turbidity and backscatter strength. The effects are delayed by 3–4 months relative to the atmospheric temperature cycle. In addition, prominent pockmarks, partly related to gas seepage, were detected with the acoustic systems. In a direct approach gas concentrations were measured from cores using the gas chromatography technique. From different tests it is concluded that subsampling of a core should start at its base and should be completed as soon as possible, at least within 35 min after core recovery. Comparison of methane concentrations of summer and winter cores revealed no significant seasonal variation. Thus, it is concluded that the temperature and pressure influences upon solubility control the depth variability of acoustic turbidity which is observed with acoustic remote sensing systems. The delay relative to the atmospheric temperature cycle is caused by slow heat transfer through the water column. The atmospheric temperature cycle as ‘exiting function’ for variable gas solubility offers an opportunity for modelling and predicting the depth of the acoustic turbidity. In practice, however, small-scale variations of, e.g., salinity, or gas concentration profile in the sediment impose limits to predictions. In addition, oceanographic influences as mixing in the water column, variable water inflow, etc. are further complications that reduce the reliability of predictions.     

Acoustic seabed segmentation for echosounders through direct statistical clustering of seabed echoes

A new method is presented for inferring seabed type from the properties of seabed echoes stimulated by echosounders. The methodology currently used classifies echoes indirectly through feature extraction, usually in conjunction with dimensional reduction techniques such as Principal Components Analysis. The features or principal components derived from them are classified by statistical clustering or other means into groups with similar sets of mathematical properties. However, a simpler technique is to directly cluster the echoes themselves. A priori modelling or curve fitting, feature extraction, and dimensional reduction are not required, simplifying the processing and analysis chain, and eliminating data distortions. In effect the echoes are treated as geometrical entities, which are classified by their shapes and positions. Direct clustering places the analysis focus on the actual echoes, not on proxy parameters or mathematical techniques. This allows simple and direct evaluations of results, without the need to work in abstract mathematical spaces of unknown relation to echo properties. The direct clustering method for seabed echoes is demonstrated with echosounder data obtained in Balls Head Bay, Sydney Harbour, Australia, an area with mud, sand, and shell beds.     

Estimating sand concentrations using ADCP-based acoustic inversion in a large fluvial system characterized by bi-modal suspended-sediment distributions

Quantifying sediment flux within rivers is a challenge for many disciplines due, mainly, to difficulties inherent to traditional sediment sampling methods. These methods are operationally complex, high cost, and high risk. Additionally, the resulting data provide a low spatial and temporal resolution estimate of the total sediment flux, which has impeded advances in the understanding of the hydro-geomorphic characteristics of rivers. Acoustic technologies have been recognized as a leading tool for increasing the resolution of sediment data by relating their echo intensity level measurements to suspended sediment. Further effort is required to robustly test and develop these techniques across a wide range of conditions found in natural river systems. This article aims to evaluate the application of acoustic inversion techniques using commercially available, down-looking acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) in quantifying suspended sediment in a large sand bed river with varying bi-modal particle size distributions, wash load and suspended-sand ratios, and water stages. To achieve this objective, suspended sediment was physically sampled along the Paraná River, Argentina, under various hydro-sedimentological regimes. Two ADCPs emitting different sound frequencies were used to simultaneously profile echo intensity level within the water column. Using the sonar equation, calibrations were determined between suspended-sand concentrations and acoustic backscatter to solve the inverse problem. The study also analyzed the roles played by each term of the sonar equation, such as ADCP frequency, power supply, instrument constants, and particle size distributions typically found in sand bed rivers, on sediment attenuation and backscatter. Calibrations were successfully developed between corrected backscatter and suspended-sand concentrations for all sites and ADCP frequencies, resulting in mean suspended-sand concentration estimates within about 40% of the mean sampled concentrations. Noise values, calculated using the sonar equation and sediment sample characteristics, were fairly constant across evaluations, suggesting that they could be applied to other sand bed rivers. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Shallow gas accumulations and seepage in the sediments of the Northeast Persian Gulf

Shallow gas accumulations and gas seepage may indicate deeper hydrocarbon reservoirs. Sonar and high resolution seismic recordings were carried out to obtain gas migration and accumulation below seabed in Northeast Persian Gulf. Results revealed some structures and reflectivity effects, for example few pockmarks, gas seepage, and other surface structures in sonar and seismic data. Most of the features observed on seismic data were located at depths between 5 and 10 m (sub-sea bed) that include acoustic blanking and turbidity, gas packets, gas chimneys, and enhanced reflection. Most of the gas is accumulated on young and thin parallel layers, but the presence of acoustic effect in Aghajari Formation indicates that the origin of the gas accumulation in shallow strata may be located in a deeper reservoir.     

Use of the Jiaolong manned submersible for accurate mapping of deep-sea topography and geomorphology

High-resolution bathymetric side-scan sonar (BSSS) performs the functions of traditional side-scan sonar, while also providing a depth-sounding function that allows simultaneous measurement of seafloor topography and geomorphology. Submarine microtopography and microgeomorphology detection ability and advanced underwater acoustic digital communication are important technical capabilities of the Jiaolong manned submersible. High resolution BSSS achieved accurate detection of seafloor topography and geomorphology at a depth of 7000 m, and successful mapping of local microtopography and microgeomorphology in the Mariana Trench.     

Sensitivity of acoustic propagation to uncertainties in the marine environment as characterized by various rapid environmental assessment methods

Accurate sonar performance prediction modelling depends on a good knowledge of the local environment, including bathymetry, oceanography and seabed properties. The function of rapid environmental assessment (REA) is to obtain relevant environmental data in a tactically relevant time frame, with REA methods categorized by the nature and immediacy of their application, from historical databases through remotely sensed data to in situ acquisition. However, each REA approach is subject to its own set of uncertainties, which are in turn transferred to uncertainty in sonar performance prediction. An approach to quantify and manage this uncertainty has been developed through the definition of sensitivity metrics and Monte Carlo simulations of acoustic propagation using multiple realizations of the marine environment. This approach can be simplified by using a linearized two-point sensitivity measure based on the statistics of the environmental parameters used by acoustic propagation models. The statistical properties of the environmental parameters may be obtained from compilations of historical data, forecast conditions or in situ measurements. During a field trial off the coast of Nova Scotia, a set of environmental data, including oceanographic and geoacoustic parameters, were collected together with acoustic transmission loss data. At the same time, several numerical models to forecast the oceanographic conditions were run for the area, including 5- and 1-day forecasts as well as nowcasts. Data from the model runs are compared to each other and to in situ environmental sampling, and estimates of the environmental uncertainties are calculated. The forecast and in situ data are used with historical geoacoustic databases and geoacoustic parameters collected using REA techniques, respectively, to perform acoustic transmission loss predictions, which are then compared to measured transmission loss. The progression of uncertainties in the marine environment, within and between different REA categories, and the consequences on acoustic propagation are examined.     

海底天然气渗漏的地球物理特征及识别方法

海底天然气渗漏是在海洋环境中广泛分布的自然现象.海底天然气渗漏可以指示沉积层中的烃类聚集带,渗漏出的大量气体（主要是甲烷）可能影响全球的气候变化,此外,与海底渗漏相关的浅层气改变了海底沉积物的土工性质,可能对海底工程构成威胁.因此海底渗漏研究意义重大.海底天然气渗漏不仅影响海底沉积物的物理性质,而且还极大地改变海底地形地貌,它能在海底形成麻坑、泥火山、冷泉碳酸盐岩以及化学自养生物群落等现象.在海底渗漏发生的地方,地形地貌特征可以在海洋测深和逆向散射数据上得到反映;沉积物的声学特征可以在地震剖面上得到反映,如形成声混浊、声空白、亮点、多次波、速度下拉等;有些渗漏在海面形成油渍膜,油渍膜可以在合成孔径雷达图像上得到反映.根据海底渗漏的上述地球物理特征,可以识别出可能渗漏区域,海底渗漏的证实需要用到海底观测和取样分析资料.     

Bubble populations and acoustic interaction with the gassy floor of Eckernförde Bay

Anomalies in data taken with acoustic profiling systems often have been interpreted as indications of the widespread occurrence of free gas (gaseous state compounds) in the continental margins of the world’s oceans. Direct demonstration of the correlation between seafloor free gas and such acoustic anomalies has been rare. Interpretations have relied on occasional measurements of gas concentration in recovered seafloor samples, indirect indicators of in situ seafloor free gas and presumed analogous dynamic response of bubbles in sediments to the response of gas bubbles in water. Here, examples are provided of the measurement of free gas bubbles under in situ conditions for samples from the floor of Eckernförde Bay on the Baltic coast of Germany. The occurrence of this population of sediment gas bubbles has been related to the measured acoustic response of the region’s seafloor via model calculations. Indications of volume scattering of the acoustic energy by bubbles in a buried gassy layer are contrasted with evidence of possible gas bubble returns from a thin surficial gassy zone.     

海洋地球物理研究与海底探测声学技术的发展

海洋地球物理以物理学的思维与方法研究占地球三分之二面积的海洋系统.20世纪地球科学迅猛发展,它的重大进展是海底扩张说与板块构造说的出现和海底大洋的发现,以及前者所引发的地球科学思想革命,从固定论向活动论的思维转变.海底研究对于20世纪地球科学发展的贡献极为巨大,而海洋地球物理是推动海底科学研究的重要原动力.海洋地球物理在20世纪地球科学的发展中有过辉煌的成就,占有十分重要的地位;在新的21世纪里,海洋地球物理研究仍然保持着前沿科学的地位,继续推动着地球科学的进展.目前的海底探测主要还是依赖于声学探测技术.水下声学定位技术是实现水下探测系统精确定位和海底高精度探测的基础.传统性的海洋地震探测技术是研究海底构造与海洋岩石圈深部结构和寻找海底矿产的主力技术,它近年来无论在海上采集技术还是数据处理技术方面都发展得很快.多波束测深、侧扫声呐测图和海底地层剖面测量等则是近数十年快速发展起来探测海底浅部结构信息的技术.这些技术已经在当代海底科学研究、海底资源勘查、海洋工程和海洋开发,以及海洋军事活动等方面发挥出极其重要的作用.     

The Mid-Rivera-Transform Discordance: Morphology and Tectonic Development

To better define the morphotectonic elements and tectonic development of the Mid-Rivera-Transform Discordance, multibeam bathymetric, seafloor backscatter, multichannel seismic reflection and total field marine magnetic data were collected along the entire Rivera Transform west of 107°W during the BART and FAMEX campaigns of the N.O. L??Atalante conducted in 2002. These data show that, although the transform tectonized zone of the Rivera Transform west of 107°30??W is a single continuous morphologic basin, this basin consists of two distinct morphotectonic domains: an eastern domain which morphologically is a deep rhombochasm within which organized seafloor spreading has occurred, and a western ??leaky transform?? domain. These new data, in conjunction with the results of previous studies, support the idea that the Rivera-Pacific Euler pole is migrating southward towards the eastern half of the Rivera Transform, and further indicate a recent (<0.14?Ma), and most likely ongoing, clockwise reorganization of the principle transform displacement zones of the Rivera Transform west of 108°W. We propose that the Mid-Rivera-Transform Discordance owes its origin to this eastward progressing, clockwise reorganization of the transform segments that is occurring in response to recent changes in Rivera-Pacific relative plate motion.     

Gas-induced erosion features in the North Sea

Pockmarks are prominent features on the seafloor at two main regions of the North Sea, the South Fladen area and the Norwegian Trench. The pockmarks vary in size from 5 m across to about 150 m and in depth from 1 m to about 20 m. Some of the features consist of several very small ‘unit-pockmarks’. These are probably gas-induced erosion features and found only in soft, finegrained, marine and glaciomarine sediments. They are probably caused by shallow- or deep-seated gas (or fluid) release through the seabed, whereby the finest particles are thrown into suspension and redistributed by nearbottom currents. On the North Sea Plateau a small pockmarked area has recently been found. A close relationship exists here between mobile gas in the upper sediments, faulting in the soft sediments and the morphology of the seabed. Other morphological features in the North Sea such as ‘coast parallel depressions’ and ‘elongated depressions’ or terraces are also interpreted here as gas-induced erosion products. This applies, yet again, to the ‘mottled seabed’ features, which appear as patches of high reflectivity on side scan sonar records from the North Sea Plateau; they correspond to shallow seabed depressions on the deep towed boomer records. Judging from reported observations from several shallow seas world wide volatile transport through the seabed is probably quite common and several morphological features are undoubtably induced by this process. Several erosion features of similar origin are probably common, also, in deep ocean basins.     

PREDICTION OF THE GRAIN SIZE OF SUSPENDED SEDIMENT： IMPLICATIONS FOR CALCULATING SUSPENDED SEDIMENT CONCENTRATIONS USING SINGLE FREQUENCY ACOUSTIC BACKSCATTER

Collection of samples of suspended sediment transported by streams and rivers is difficult and expensive. Emerging technologies, such as acoustic backscatter, have promise to decrease costs and allow more thorough sampling of transported sediment in streams and rivers. Acoustic backscatter information may be used to calculate the concentration of suspended sand-sized sediment given the vertical distribution of sediment size. Therefore, procedures to accurately compute suspended sediment size distributions from easily obtained river data are badly needed. In this study, techniques to predict the size of suspended sand are examined and their application to measuring concentrations using acoustic backscatter data are explored. Three methods to predict the size of sediment in suspension using bed sediment, flow criteria, and a modified form of the Rouse equation yielded mean suspended sediment sizes that differed from means of measured data by 7 to 50 percent. When one sample near the bed was used as a reference, mean error was reduced to about 5 percent. These errors in size determination translate into errors of 7 to 156 percent in the prediction of sediment concentration using backscatter data from 1 MHz single frequency acoustics.     

Long-term development and current status of the Barcelona continental shelf: A source-to-sink approach

The Barcelona continental shelf, off the city of Barcelona (NE Spain), is a relatively narrow canyon-bounded shelf in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. Three medium-size rivers (Tordera, Besós and Llobregat) and several ephemeral rivulets flow into this margin. Two main domains have been recognized in the Barcelona shelf: (i) a modern, river-influenced area, and (ii) a relict, sediment depleted area, both affected by a variety of human impacts. A detailed geomorphologic study based on multibeam bathymetry and backscatter data, high resolution seismic profiles, and surface sediment samples allowed mapping and interpreting the main distinctive seafloor features on the Barcelona shelf. Modern sedimentary features reveal that the Llobregat River is the main sediment source of the Barcelona prodeltaic shelf. High-discharge fluvial events result in the formation of suspended sediment plumes and sediment waves on the shelf floor. Relict (late Pleistocene–Holocene) sedimentary features reflect that an important shift occurred in the seashore direction between MIS 4 and MIS 2, and that recent neotectonic reactivation has created a set of seafloor faults. The Barcelona inner and middle shelf is severely impacted by anthropogenic activities such as the enlargement works of the Port of Barcelona, sewage pipes, dredging, anchoring and trawling.