Side-scan sonar image processing: Seabed classification based on acoustic backscattering

The smoothness of vessel traffic flow is the most important thing in the shipping industry of port. Traffic problems are commonly solved by development and maintenance programs. Seabed conditions in the port-channel should be known to be considered in port development and maintenance programs related to port efficiency, safety navigation, and berthing. The objective of this paper is to characterize seabed into several classes of geological features. The Seabed condition and characteristics are classified based on image processing of side scan sonar data. The image processing will extract pixel value parameters; intensity, entropy, and standard deviation. Classification use combination of these pixel view parameter to define each class. Seabed classification has been successfully carried out in Teluk Bayur Port and classified into five classes, sandy silt, silty sand, fine sand, coarse sand, and rocks or reefs. Indication of crack or shallow structure was also identified. These results of classification are necessary to verify by sediment sampling and visual inspection, and then it should be reclassified to become a valid classification.

Developing multiscale terrain signatures for seabed classification

<p>It is increasingly recognized that environmental variables must be considered at multiple spatial scales to produce maps of the seabed that better capture and represent geomorphic features and marine habitats. In this paper, the ability of new multiscale geomorphometric variables to classify different types of seabed habitats is tested. A digital terrain model of an area of coastal Florida with different types of intertidal habitats was used in the geospatial data analysis platform Whitebox Tools to generate multiscale measures of roughness, maximum deviation from mean elevation, maximum anisotropy in elevation deviation, maximum difference from mean elevation, and maximum spherical standard deviation. Results show that oyster reefs, muddy areas, and areas with aquatic vegetation have different multiscale terrain signatures, highlighting the potential of multiscale terrain attributes to inform seabed classification.</p>