Seabed characterisation

We use acoustic tools, such as sidescan sonar and multibeam echosounders, to characterise the seabed in terms of sediment, texture and morphology. These tools are also used to identify areas impacted by human activities such as fishing, disposal and aggregate extraction, or those of nature conservation interest.

Sidescan sonar is most suited to assess changes in seabed nature. For example, to study the extent of dredged material disposal sites or sand plumes near aggregate extraction site.

Multibeam echosounders are used to study changes in seabed morphology and volume. For example, the movement of sandwaves and volume calculations at dredged material disposal sites.

Benefits of seabed characterisation

• Assess extent of human impacts, e.g. dredged material disposal and aggregate extraction
• Understand changes in seabed type
• Assess suitability of seabed to tow certain fishing gears
• Understand sediment transport pathways
• Plan sampling surveys to ground-truth acoustic data