Scientific echosounder: Difference between revisions
m Added fourth digital echosounder company Tag: possible conflict of interest |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Mergefrom | Digital scientific echosounder |discuss=Talk:Digital scientific echosounder#Merge proposal |date=April 2009 }} |
{{Mergefrom | Digital scientific echosounder |discuss=Talk:Digital scientific echosounder#Merge proposal |date=April 2009 }} |
||
A '''scientific echosounder''' is a device which uses [[SONAR]] technology for the measurement of underwater physical and biological components—this device is also known as ''scientific SONAR''. Applications include [[bathymetry]], [[seabed|substrate classification]], studies of [[Alga|aquatic vegetation]], [[fish]], and [[plankton]], and differentation of [[water mass]]es. Currently, the only |
A '''scientific echosounder''' is a device which uses [[SONAR]] technology for the measurement of underwater physical and biological components—this device is also known as ''scientific SONAR''. Applications include [[bathymetry]], [[seabed|substrate classification]], studies of [[Alga|aquatic vegetation]], [[fish]], and [[plankton]], and differentation of [[water mass]]es. Currently, the only four manufacturers of scientific-quality digital echsounders commonly used for resource assessment are Simrad, [http://www.biosonicsinc.com 'BioSonics'] , HTI (Hydroacoustic Technology, Inc.), and [http://www.scifish.com 'SciFish Sonar'] . |
||
== Technology == |
== Technology == |
||
Revision as of 16:55, 12 February 2011
 | It has been suggested that Digital scientific echosounder be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since April 2009. |
A scientific echosounder is a device which uses SONAR technology for the measurement of underwater physical and biological components—this device is also known as scientific SONAR. Applications include bathymetry, substrate classification, studies of aquatic vegetation, fish, and plankton, and differentation of water masses. Currently, the only four manufacturers of scientific-quality digital echsounders commonly used for resource assessment are Simrad, 'BioSonics' , HTI (Hydroacoustic Technology, Inc.), and 'SciFish Sonar' .
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 (SAV), and water column scattering (fish and plankton). Resulting analysis can be used to generate GIS data layers for these variables.
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. Academic institutions have realized and are teaching the value of sampling non-invasively with sound to enhance both the spatial coverage and objectivity of fisheries sampling. Fisheries management agencies such as the membership of ICES and the United States National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) commonly use scientific sonar for stock assessment purposes, such as herring biomass assessment for resource management purposes.
More recently, the acoustic data collected has been valuable in underwater habitat assessment and classification for the variables; seabed type (e.g. rock, mud, sand) and submersed aquatic vegetation and algae - with the appropriate software.
