Applications of Multibeam Backscatter: Using Multibeam Echosounder Backscatter to Characterize and Map Seafloor Features in Shallow and Deep Water

摘要

Recent developments in multibeam echosounder backscatter processing are now included in most commercially available processing software. These tools allow end users to produce properly corrected backscatter mosaics and add more robust qualitative and quantitative discrimination of seabed materials to their seafloor characterizations. This paper reviews backscatter processing and presents some examples that demonstrate the advantages of multibeam backscatter over conventional sidescan sonar. Fully corrected backscatter data increases confidence in interpretations of seabed features, and is an improved baseline data set for implementing automated mapping techniques, which can potentially produce more detailed maps in less time. The corrected backscatter is also more appropriate for integration with sediment samples and subsequent quantitative analysis used in seafloor classification systems. These mapping efforts are of benefit to engineering favorability assessments and other types of seafloor investigations.