Remote Methods of Mapping Seafloor Topography, Sediment Type, Bedforms, and Benthic Biology

Reduced funding for oceanographic monitoring and mapping underscores the need for development of efficient and cost-effective observational techniques. We describe the application of two remote sensing systems which, when used in combination, can efficiently map geological and biological properties of the seafloor. The large scale (>1 meter) mapping system is the EG&G SMS 960 side-scan sonar. The small scale (0.06 mm - 20 cm) imaging system is the REMOTS sediment profile camera. We have used these two systems to map topographic features, sediment texture, and stage of biological succession within a 2.8 km²area located in the Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts spoil ground. This detailed mapping project was accomplished in two days.