ESMAC, a nordic research programme for environmental mapping and characterization of the seafloor

As the worlds seafloor is more and more extensively exploited for commercial purposes, it is from an environmental point of view important to develop methods for mapping and characterization of the seafloor and changes in the seafloor over time. The goal of the ESMAC project is within a time frame of two years to develop methods as well as the prototype computer system for more effective and precise methods to do seafloor characterization. The input data are acquired with commercially available hydro acoustic and optical instruments. In addition, ground truth and bottom samples will be collected. The results from the project are not limited to environmental monitoring of the seafloor, but they will be of great importance to any organization interested in exploitation of the seafloor