水下激光扫描成像系统及其在冷泉研究中的应用

利用深潜器及其搭载光学设备获得重点调查区的高分辨率影像资料是深远海调查的重要内容，对于研究冷泉、热液等特殊海底环境及其生态系统的组成、空间规模、分布特征以及演化规律具有重要意义。主要介绍了搭载于“发现”ROV的4 500 m级L1000型图像和激光扫描系统及其应用实例。利用该系统拍摄并带有位置信息的海底高清照片，首次获得了台西南冷泉区的高清全幅海底拼接图像，并根据该拼接图像对台西南冷泉区的海底特征、空间分布规律和规模进行了直观分析和量化研究，有效地提高了我国深远海近海底测绘的能力。

A SUBMARINE IMAGING AND LASER PROFILING SYSTEM AND ITS APPLICATION TO COLD SEEP SITE INVESTIGATION OFF SOUTHWESTERN TAIWAN

Submarine vehicles (SVs) have been widely used in marine investigations that have greatly enhanced the human ability to explore the deep ocean. High quality videos and photos obtained with cameras mounted on SVs are essential data of submarine investigations for the time being since they may provide indispensable information for the study of hydrothermal and cold seep systems. In this paper, a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) "Faxian", equipped with a 4500-m-rated L1000 Imaging and Laser Profiling system designed and supplied by Cathx Ocean Ltd was introduced and applied at the Taiwan Ridge for cold seep site investigation, The imaging and profiling system includes a M12 L1000 Dual Mode Laser Profiler Camera and an Aphos 16(S16) 110VAC LED light and a DGL300 Green Line Laser. This system was fastened to the bottom of "Faxian" and was pointed downward at the seafloor. In 2016, more than 300 thousand seafloor images of the cold seep site with coordinate information were collected covering an area of around 20 000 m2 in about 30 hours with a imaging frequency of 3 images per second. A high-definition panoramic image covering the most part of the cold seep site was finally achieved by merging all the georeferenced photos. Based on this panoramic image, seabed features and the scales and distribution patterns of these features were analyzed. The installation and successful application of the imaging and laser profiling system will significantly enhance our ability to explore the deep oceans.