Scientific echosounder
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A scientific echosounder is a device which utilizes SONAR technology for use in measurement of underwater physical and biological components—this device is also known as scientific SONAR. Applications include bathymetry, substrate classification, studies of acquatic vegetation, fish, and plankton, and differentation of water masses.
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[edit] Technology
Scientific echosounder equipment is built to exacting standards and tested to be stable and reliable in the transmission and receiving of sound energy under the water. Recent advances have led to the development of the digital scientific echosounder, further enhancing the reliability and precision with which these systems operate. Modern scientific echosounders are reliable, portable, and relatively easy to use.
Data collected with a scientific echosounder can be analyzed for the presence, abundance, distribution and acoustic characteristics of such variables as: depth (bathymetry), bottom substrate class (e.g., sand, mud, rock), submersed aquatic vegetation, and water column scattering (fish and plankton). Resulting analysis can be used to generate GIS data layers for these variables.
[edit] Applications
Scientific echosounders are commonly used by International, Federal, State and Local government and management agencies, as well as private-sector consultants working for these public agencies. More recently, academic institutions are realizing the value of sampling non-invasively with sound. Fisheries management agencies such as ICES and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) commonly use scientific sonar for stock assessment purposes, such as herring biomass assessment for resource management purposes.
