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This study investigates the application of multibeam echosounder (MBES) systems, primarily to improve the accuracy of seafloor classification by improving the standardization of backscattering data. The main goal was to refine the estimation of in-situ water temperatures using sound wave propagation speeds and to evaluate the influence of environmental factors such as salinity on the absorption coefficients applied in backscatter data interpretation. To evaluate the accuracy of water temperature estimation using empirical sound velocity formulas, SVP (Sound Velocity Profile) and CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth) measurements were taken at a depth 120 m off the southeastern coast of South Korea, together with MBES survey. The findings show that field measurements using CTD sensors can effectively calibrate and validate empirical sound velocity models, ensuring more accurate estimations of water temperature and salinity impacts on sound transmission. Results indicate that the ability to effectively estimate on-site water temperature using transmission speed and average salinity derived from existing data enhances the accuracy of the existing MBES data. Significant fluctuations in ARC (angular response curve) patterns have been observed in regions with steep seafloor slopes, indicating that topographic variations have a substantial impact on acoustic backscattering. This study highlights the necessity of integrating in-situ environmental corrections to adaptively manage variability in seafloor mapping, enabling robust interpretations of marine topography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research cruise was carried out within the framework of the Horizon 2020 project “Development of Optimal and Open Research Support for the Black Sea” (DOORS). The DOORS-3 program was developed as part of Work Package 4. The project started on June 1, 2021 and will end on May 31, 2025, and will last 48 months. The beneficiary countries of the project are Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Moldova, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Spain, and Greece. The overall goal of the project is to contribute to the improvement of the Black Sea environment. The DOORS project aims to address the overall need to support the restoration of environmental quality and sustainability of the Black Sea. DOORS will raise public awareness and promote the rational use of the Black Sea environment, contribute to closer coordination between the next cycle of implementation of the MSFD (EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive) and the Bucharest Convention, and deepen public understanding of the value of ecosystem services in the Black Sea. Studying the changes in the Black Sea level is also important for developing forecasts of the development of its coastal zone as a result of global climate warming. For this purpose, data on changes in landscape and geomorphological conditions in the coastal zone, obtained on the basis of historical and paleogeographic studies conducted in the coastal areas of the Black Sea, can be used.

Dams are vital for irrigation, power generation, and domestic water needs, but siltation poses a significant challenge, especially in areas prone to water erosion, potentially shortening a dam's lifespan. The Ahmed El Hansali Dam in Morocco faces heightened siltation due to its upstream region being susceptible to erosion-prone rocks and high runoff. This study estimates the siltation at the dam from its construction up to 2014 using bathymetric data and the Brown model, which is a widely-used empirical model that calculates reservoir trap efficiency. Additionally, the study evaluates the impact of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes and projected future rainfall until around 2076 based on siltation rates. The results indicate that changes in LULC, particularly temporal variations in precipitation, have a significant impact on the siltation of the Ahmed El Hansali dam. Notably, rainfall is strongly correlated with the siltation rate, with an R2 of 0.92. The efficiency of sediment trapping (TE) is 97.64%, meaning that 97.64% of the sediment in the catchment area is trapped or deposited at the bottom of the dam. The estimated annual specific sediment yield is about 32,345.79 tons/km2/yr, and the sediment accumulation rate is approximately 4.75 Mm3/yr. The dam's half-life is estimated to be around 2076, but future precipitation projections may extend this timeframe due to the strong correlation between siltation and precipitation. Additionally, soil erosion driven by land management practices plays a crucial role in future siltation dynamics. Hence, this study offers a comprehensive assessment of the siltation dynamics at the Ahmed El Hansali dam, providing essential information on the long-term effects of erosion, land use changes, and climate projections. These findings may assist decision makers in managing dam reservoir sedimentation more effectively, ensuring the durability of the dam and extending the reservoir life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acquiring global ocean digital elevation model (DEM) is a forefront branch of marine geology and hydrographic survey that plays a crucial role in the study of the Earth's system and seafloor's structure. Due to limitations in technological capabilities and surveying costs, large-scale sampling of ocean depths is very coarse, making it challenging to directly create complete ocean DEM. Many traditional interpolation and deep learning methods have been applied to reconstruct ocean DEM images. However, the continuity and heterogeneity of ocean terrain data are too complex to be approximated effectively by traditional interpolation models. Meanwhile, due to the scarcity of available data, training an sufficient network directly with deep learning methods is difficult. In this work, we propose a conditional generative adversarial network (CGAN) based on transfer learning, which applies knowledge learned from land terrain to ocean terrain. We pre-train the model using land DEM data and fine-tune it using ocean DEM data. Specifically, we utilize randomly sampled ocean terrain data as network input, employ CGAN with U-Net architecture and residual blocks to capture terrain features of images through adversarial training, resulting in reconstructed bathymetric terrain images. The training process is constrained by the combined loss composed of adversarial loss, reconstruction loss, and perceptual loss. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach reduces the required amount of training data, and achieves better reconstruction accuracy compared to traditional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The marine environment in Tanzania faces significant pollution originating mainly from land-based sources such as industrial, agricultural, and municipal waste, as well as coastal construction, oil discharges, and dredging activities. Siltation, a significant problem in the Dar es Salaam harbor, has led to a decrease in the depth of the entrance channel, requiring more frequent dredging. Goal and Objectives: This study assessed the sediment deposition rate at the entrance channel of Dar es Salaam harbour by analyzing three sets of Bathymetric data obtained in 1998, 2010, and 2016. Methodology: The data was gridded to generate colour relief maps and a 3D view of the area was created to analyze the terrain. Cross sections of the berth basins were generated to compare the depths after dredging, time series graphs were drawn for each section at the main quay to indicate the rate. A direct method was used to calculate the sediment accumulation rate Results: The study revealed the sediment rate varies in different parts of the channel. Sediment accumulates more heavily at the main quay, likely due to ship maneuvers. In 2010, the sediment rate in the entire channel of Dar-es-Salaam harbour was up to 3.3cm/year (0-4m total or less consistent with earlier assessment that is contributed as a result of scouring on large part of the channel), while in 2016, it ranged from 2.2cm/year to 6.7cm/year. Time series graphs for each section showed sedimentation rates ranging from 1.59cm/year to 12.25cm/year. The sediment deposition pattern at the harbor is cyclical and unpredictable. Scouring occurs in the entrance channel where the magnitude differs from section to section and in the harbour basin for the year 2010 and 2016, and sedimentation is concentrated near the quays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increased precipitation and meltwater, most lakes on the Tibetan Plateau have expanded rapidly. However, the impact of erosion and sedimentation following lake expansion remains unclear. Using Lexiewudan and Yanhu Lakes as examples, we created a water depth inversion model using random forest method and combined it with lake bathymetric data and Landsat images and analyzed changes in underwater topography using SRTM and ICESat-2 data. The average water depths of two lakes were 5.92 and 9.82 m, and the root mean square error of inversion values were 0.85 and 0.93 m, respectively. Results showed that the underwater topography underwent considerable changes, in which at least half of the study areas experienced large topographic changes with 2–5 m. Lexiewudan Lake had a topographic change of more than 2 m in 61.28% of the total, while Yanhu Lake made up 69.78% of the total. The erosion and sedimentation volume of Lexiewudan Lake were 0.19 and 0.03 km3 and those of Yanhu Lake were 0.38 and 0.03 km3, respectively. Extensive underwater erosion and sedimentation are closely related to the original topography. Lake water movement, sediment transport, and permafrost degradation in flooded areas may also affect changes in underwater topography.

Submarine canyons and channels are globally important pathways for sediment, organic carbon, nutrients and pollutants to the deep sea, and they form the largest sediment accumulations on Earth. However, studying these remote submarine systems comprehensively remains a challenge. In this study, we used the only complete-coverage and repeated bathymetric surveys yet for a very large submarine system, which is the Congo Fan off West Africa. Our aim is to understand channel-modifying features such as subaqueous landslides, meander-bend evolution, knickpoints and avulsions by analyzing their morphometric characteristics. We used a new approach to identify these channel-modifying features via morphometric fingerprints, which allows a systematic and efficient search in low-resolution bathymetry data. These observations have led us to identify three morphodynamic reaches within the Congo Canyon-Channel. The upper reach of the system is characterized by landslides that can locally block the channel, storing material for extended periods and re-excavating material through a new incised channel. The middle reach of the system is dominated by the sweep and swing of meander bends, although their importance depends on the channel's age, and the time since the last up-channel avulsion. In the distal and youngest part of the system, an upstream migrating knickpoint is present, which causes multi-stage sediment transport and overspill through an underdeveloped channel with shallow depths. These findings complement previous less- detailed morphometric analyses of the Congo Canyon-Channel, offering a clearer understanding of how submarine canyon-channels can store sediment (due to channel-damming landslides, meander point bars, levee building due to overspill), re-excavate that sediment (via thalweg incision, meander propagation, knickpoint migration) and finally transport it to the deep sea. This improved understanding of the morphodynamics of the Congo Canyon- Channel may help to understand the evolution of other submarine canyon- channels, and assessment of hazards faced by seabed infrastructure such as telecommunication cables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archaeological evidence indicates that initial coastal settlement of western South America took place near the end of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) when sea level was between 40 and 100 m lower than today. Beginning around 15,000 cal BP, and for roughly the next 8,000 years, sea levels rose, eventually covering these formerly exposed and potentially human-occupied landscapes. We use bathymetric data and the reconstructed global mean sea level curve from the Last Glacial Maximum to the Holocene to describe the paleolandscapes associated with the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene coastal occupations at five sites located in far southern Peru. We constructed cross-sections perpendicular to the modern shoreline at the various locales to determine the approximate extent of the exposed land surface and the proximity of the communities at the sites of Quebrada de los Burros, Quebrada Tacahuay, the Ring Site, Kilometer 4 (K4), and Quebrada Miraflores to the ocean and various littoral habitats. Our analysis identifies previously undocumented littoral habitats consisting of large, shallow-water bays, significant rocky headlands, and beach habitats. We propose several methods of future research to identify potentially submerged sites and the marine paleolandscape of the study region. Knowing the paleolandscapes contributes to refining Pacific coast migration and settlement models for South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subaquatic channels, situated in lakes, fjords, submarine canyons and on deep-sea fan systems, exhibit diverse morphometric characteristics controlled by sediment transport processes, particularly turbidity currents. These processes play a significant role in transporting sediment, organic carbon, nutrients, and pollutants and pose hazards to critical infrastructure. This study examines a balanced set of subaquatic channels across various settings, sizes, and locations, employing novel data harmonization techniques to address biases toward larger channels. The analysis reveals consistent scaling relationships, particularly the dominant role of bankfull width, influencing bankfull depth, cross-sectional area, wavelength, and amplitude. The aspect ratio (width-to-depth) emerges as a significant parameter, reflecting a necessary channel compactness to maintain turbidity currents. Meandering development reveals relations between width, wavelength, and amplitude, with a preference for specific ratios. Meandering is most pronounced at channel beginnings, transitioning to straighter forms downstream, potentially influenced by flow dynamics and flow confinement. The study broadens the understanding of subaquatic channel evolution, emphasizing the importance of bankfull width and providing insights applicable across settings and scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With more than 300 years of existence, Shom is the oldest active hydrographic service in the world. Compiling and deconflicting this much history automatically is a real challenge. This article will present the types of data Shom has to manipulate and the different steps of the workflow that allows Shom to compile over 300 years of bathymetric knowledge. The Téthys project for Shom will be presented in detail. The implementation of this type of process is a scientific, algorithmic, and infrastructure challenge.

Subaquatic channels, situated in lakes, fjords, submarine canyons and on deep-sea fan systems, exhibit diverse morphometric characteristics controlled by sediment transport processes, particularly turbidity currents. These processes play a significant role in transporting sediment, organic carbon, nutrients, and pollutants and pose hazards to critical infrastructure. This study examines a balanced set of subaquatic channels across various settings, sizes, and locations, employing novel data harmonization techniques to address biases toward larger channels. The analysis reveals consistent scaling relationships, particularly the dominant role of bankfull width, influencing bankfull depth, cross-sectional area, wavelength, and amplitude. The aspect ratio (width-to-depth) emerges as a significant parameter, reflecting a necessary channel compactness to maintain turbidity currents. Meandering development reveals relations between width, wavelength, and amplitude, with a preference for specific ratios. Meandering is most pronounced at channel beginnings, transitioning to straighter forms downstream, potentially influenced by flow dynamics and flow confinement. The study broadens the understanding of subaquatic channel evolution, emphasizing the importance of bankfull width and providing insights applicable across settings and scales.

Depth data and the digital bottom model created from it are very important in the inland and coastal water zones studies and research. The paper undertakes the subject of bathymetric data processing using reduction methods and examines the impact of data reduction according to the resulting representations of the bottom surface in the form of numerical bottom models. Data reduction is an approach that is meant to reduce the size of the input dataset to make it easier and more efficient for analysis, transmission, storage and similar. For the purposes of this article, test datasets were created by discretizing a selected polynomial function. The real dataset, which was used to verify the analyzes, was acquired using an interferometric echosounder mounted on a HydroDron-1 autonomous survey vessel. The data were collected in the ribbon of Lake Klodno, Zawory. Data reduction was conducted in two commercial programs. Three equal reduction parameters were adopted for each algorithm. The research part of the paper presents the results of the conducted analyzes of the reduced bathymetric datasets based on the visual comparison of numerical bottom models, isobaths, and statistical parameters. The article contains tabular results with statistics, as well as the spatial visualization of the studied fragments of numerical bottom models and isobaths. This research is being used in the course of work on an innovative project that aims to develop a prototype of a multi-dimensional and multi-temporal coastal zone monitoring system using autonomous, unmanned floating platforms at a single survey pass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital bottom models are commonly used in many fields of human activity, such as navigation, harbor and offshore technologies, or environmental studies. In many cases, they are the basis for further analysis. They are prepared based on bathymetric measurements, which in many cases have the form of large datasets. Therefore, various interpolation methods are used for calculating these models. In this paper, we present the analysis in which we compared selected methods for bottom surface modeling with a particular focus on geostatistical methods. The aim was to compare five variants of Kriging and three deterministic methods. The research was performed with real data acquired with the use of an autonomous surface vehicle. The collected bathymetric data were reduced (from about 5 million points to about 500 points) and analyzed. A ranking approach was proposed to perform a complex and comprehensive analysis integrating typically used error statistics—mean absolute error, standard deviation and root mean square error. This approach allowed the inclusion of various views on methods of assessment while integrating various metrics and factors. The results show that geostatistical methods perform very well. The best results were achieved with the modifications of classical Kriging methods, which are disjunctive Kriging and empirical Bayesian Kriging. For these two methods, good statistics were calculated compared to other methods (for example, the mean absolute error for disjunctive Kriging was 0.23 m, while for universal Kriging and simple Kriging, it was 0.26 m and 0.25 m, respectively). However, it is worth mentioning that interpolation based on radial basis function in some cases is comparable to Kriging in its performance. The proposed ranking approach was proven to be useful and can be utilized in the future for choosing and comparing DBMs, mostly in mapping and analyzing seabed changes, for example in dredging operations. The research will be used during the implementation of the new multidimensional and multitemporal coastal zone monitoring system using autonomous, unmanned floating platforms. The prototype of this system is at the design stage and is expected to be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we present a long-term water management model which can be an important tool for the ordinary management of a reservoir. The model can be made simple and applicable in a graphic form. The key point of the model is that the sedimentation rate of solids can be modeled according to a power law. The basic equation of the model is tested using bathymetric surveys of different dams located in different parts of the world. Robustness and predictive power are evaluated both numerically and by comparison with satellite results. Then the model is transformed into the form of a management plot and applied to the real case of the Camastra dam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The estimation of lake depth and water storage is crucial for water resource management in inland waters. In previous studies, lake water storage estimation required in situ bathymetry data; however, the high cost of fieldwork prevented the extension of this method to all lakes. This study aims to solve this problem by studying how to estimate lake water storage without using bathymetric data. According to the similarity between the topography surrounding the lake and the underwater topography, we present an approach to estimate the lake water storage. The principle of the method is to extend the surrounding terrain into the underwater area to establish an underwater model. In this study, six lakes of the Tibetan Plateau were selected, and the results showed that the average R2 between the estimated and measured water depths of the six lakes was about 0.76. Among them, the estimated water depth of Taiyang Lake (maximum depth of 61.57 m) had the largest deviation from the measured water depth, with an RMSE (root mean square error) of 19.77 m, while the estimated water depth of Bangda Co (maximum depth of 41.04 m) had the best result, with an RMSE of 7.83 m. The relative errors of all water storage estimations were less than 20%. The lake with the best accuracy was Zigetang Co (measured water storage of 39.6 Gt), and the estimated water storage was 42.2 Gt, with a relative error of 6.57%. The lake with the worst accuracy was Taiyang Lake (measured water storage of 31.94 Gt), and the estimated water storage was 36.47 Gt, with a relative error of 14.18%. This study provides an effective method for lake depth estimation and improves the ability to monitor changes in lake storage, especially for lakes with harsh environments or in remote areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With more than 300 years of existence, Shom is the oldest active hydrographic service in the world. Compiling and deconflicting this much history automatically is a real challenge. This article will present the types of data Shom has to manipulate and the different steps of the workflow that allows Shom to compile over 300 years of bathymetric knowledge. The Téthys project for Shom will be presented in detail. The implementation of this type of process is a scientific, algorithmic, and infrastructure challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The estimation of the uncertainty related to bathymetric data is essential in determining the quality of the data acquisition. This estimation is based on the covariance propagation considering the classical sounding georeferencing model. The estimation of the uncertainty using the Total Propagated Uncertainty (TPU) model is well described in the literature. Developing on this model, this study introduces an analysis of the morphological influence of the seafloor on the uncertainty value of the sounded points. Advancing the comprehension of the influence of the seafloor on the uncertainty value of the bathymetric data would improve the processing and interpretation of the seafloor surface as well as the structures present on the seafloor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From a global perspective, dams are constructed to trap water flowing from a higher concentration to a lower concentration into a basin for several purposes to aid humanity. The continuous monitoring of dams is prudent for measuring the rate of sedimentation and siltation, and to ensure that it functions to its full capacity. The Tagwai dam is used for irrigation and domestic activities. It was observed that there is a shortage in its storage capacity and supplies due to sedimentation, and coupled with this is the fact that the majority of the communities are not connected to the tap water system; if not, the problem would have been evidently pronounced. However, to determine the present volume of water and provide possible ways of increasing the reservoir’s storage capacity, the leapfrogging approach was used to improve the basin. The data were collected using a single beam echosounder and Hi-Target V30 differential global positioning system (DGPS). The sounder was used to acquire bathymetric data, while the DGPS was used to delineate the shoreline. The data were interpolated using the ordinary Kriging technique. After that, the leapfrogging method was grouped into four scenarios: Scenario A, B, C, and D. In each stage, the volume was computed using Simpson’s 3/8 integrated model. Scenario A is the present stage of the reservoir. Consequently, the results show that, while scenario B and C presented an appreciable increase in volume at the instant, scenario D illustrated a tremendous improvement in the storage capacity, and it is a win-win situation. The decision on which leapfrogging approach to employ depends on the government’s willingness to enhance the reservoir’s capacity and the resources available, such as human and financial capital to execute the project.

Featured Application: The methodology proposed in this manuscript makes it possible to improve the estimation of flood zones and their flow depth values in situations where there are no available bathymetric data of the channel (or they are scarce and do not allow for its shape reconstruction). It could improve flood risk assessment too. The accurate estimation of flood risk depends on, among other factors, a correct delineation of the floodable area and its associated hydrodynamic parameters. This characterization becomes fundamental in the flood hazard analyses that are carried out in urban areas. To achieve this objective, it is necessary to have a correct characterization of the topography, both inside the riverbed (bathymetry) and outside it. Outside the riverbed, the LiDAR data led to an important improvement, but not so inside the riverbed. To overcome these deficiencies, different models with simplified bathymetry or modified inflow hydrographs were used. Here, we present a model that is based upon the calibration of the Manning's n value inside the riverbed. The use of abnormally low Manning's n values made it possible to reproduce both the extent of the flooded area and the flow depth value within it (outside the riverbed) in an acceptable manner. The reduction in the average error in the flow depth value from 50–75 cm (models without bathymetry and "natural" Manning's n values) to only about 10 cm (models without bathymetry and "calibrated" Manning's n values), was propagated towards a reduction in the estimation of direct flood damage, which fell from 25–30% to about 5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of most hydrographic measurements is to obtain basic data for the compilation of navigation maps with a focus on characteristics that may affect safe navigation. The hydrographic map is the final product of hydrographic exploration. Its accuracy and compliance depend on the quality of the data collected during the measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a study on offshore wind energy viability in Benin Republic. Weibull law has been used to model the spatial distribution of daily wind speed data in Benin Republic's Exclusive Economic Zone. The spatial distribution of wind energy potential in Benin's exclusive economic zone has been obtained at several heights by extrapolating Weibull parameters. Wind resource has then been categorized using National Renewable Energy Laboratory standards. Bathymetric data in the exclusive economic zone are used to determine areas showing good compromise between exploitable wind potential and turbine's foundation. We have shown that Benin's offshore resources can reach Class 7 at 100 m height, Class 6, respectively, at 100 and 80 m heights and finally Class 5 at 50 m height. We have also shown that locations close to the shore are the most suitable to offshore wind power generation in Benin's exclusive economic zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocean science and hydroacoustic seafloor mapping rely on accurate navigation underwater. By exploiting terrain information provided by a multibeam echosounder system, it is possible to significantly improve map quality. This article presents an algorithm capable of improving map quality and accuracy by aligning consecutive pings to tiles that are matched pairwise. A globally consistent solution is calculated from these matches. The proposed method has the potential to be used online in addition to other navigation solutions, but is mainly targeted for post processing. The algorithm was tested using different parameter settings on an AUV and a ship-based dataset. The ship-based dataset is publicly available as a benchmark. The original accurate navigation serving as a ground truth, alongside trajectories that include an artificial drift, are available. This allows quantitative comparisons between algorithms and parameter settings.

The accurate estimation of flood risk depends on, among other factors, a correct delineation of the floodable area and its associated hydrodynamic parameters. This characterization becomes fundamental in the flood hazard analyses that are carried out in urban areas. To achieve this objective, it is necessary to have a correct characterization of the topography, both inside the riverbed (bathymetry) and outside it. Outside the riverbed, the LiDAR data led to an important improvement, but not so inside the riverbed. To overcome these deficiencies, different models with simplified bathymetry or modified inflow hydrographs were used. Here, we present a model that is based upon the calibration of the Manning’s n value inside the riverbed. The use of abnormally low Manning’s n values made it possible to reproduce both the extent of the flooded area and the flow depth value within it (outside the riverbed) in an acceptable manner. The reduction in the average error in the flow depth value from 50–75 cm (models without bathymetry and “natural” Manning’s n values) to only about 10 cm (models without bathymetry and “calibrated” Manning’s n values), was propagated towards a reduction in the estimation of direct flood damage, which fell from 25–30% to about 5%.

In this contribution, interpolation methods were assessed to build the bathymetry of 200 km of the Odra River in South Poland. The River Bed Mapping (RBM) was carried out surveying the depth of several reaches of the canalized part of the river using an Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) with an echo sounder as well as two navigation schemes. The values from the interpolation were compared with the data from a classical cross-sectional survey as part of the ISOK (Polish acronym for Information System of Country Protection Against Extraordinary Hazards) project. Two statistical errors between the interpolation values and the ISOK information were estimated, namely, the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). Thanks to the presented analysis, it was possible to compare and analyze which interpolation method fits the best for the batymetric surveying of a shallow river. For this specific case study, the TIN (Triangular Irregular Network) and the NN (Natural Neighbor) methods generates the most accurate RBM.

The understanding of submarine monogenetic volcanic fields, especially if located near to coastal areas, is fundamental for volcanic risk assessment. Using high-resolution bathymetric data and ROV images, the submarine Graham volcanic field, located 40–50 km offshore southwestern Sicily (Italy), has been described in detail. The field comprises a ten of monogenetic volcanic seamounts aligned along a N-S trending belt at 150–250 m water depths and includes the relict of the short-lived “Ferdinandea Island” produced during the well-documented 1831 “Surtseyan-type” eruption. The present-day morphology of the cones is the result of the interplay between volcanic activity, wave and current erosion, mass-wasting and depositional processes, in relationship with sea-level change, acting in both subaerial and submarine environments. The analysis of the morphometric parameters allowed a detailed morphological classification of the cones. The seamounts are composed of poorly consolidated tephra and show steep slopes and pointy or flat tops, often characterized by sub-vertical knolls. Taking into account analogies with other volcanic seamounts worldwide, the analysis of some morphological characteristics, such as presence and depth of terraces on top and along the slope of the cones in relationship with sea-level fluctuations, allowed us to hypothesize a Late Pleistocene-Holocene age for the volcanism forming the field. The probably older Terribile volcanic field was also identified on the adjacent Terribile Bank and analyzed. Numerous mass-transport deposits and pockmarks were identified in the surroundings of the volcanic fields, suggesting the occurrence of diffuse slope failures and fluid releases, respectively. The distribution and shape of the cones within the volcanic fields provided important insights into the interaction between volcanism and tectonics. The alignment of the cones and the main axis of the clusters in which they are grouped revealed two preferred directions, N-S and NW-SE, respectively, which are consistent with those of the main tectonic structures of the Sicily Channel. The detailed bathy-morphological analysis of the cones proved the monogenetic nature of this volcanism, which represents a peculiarity since it took place outside the typical geodynamic settings of other volcanic fields worldwide such as subduction or oceanic rift zones, and far from long-lived volcanic systems.

Lake water storage is essential information for lake research. Previous studies usually used bathymetric data to acquire underwater topography by interpolation method, and to therefore estimate water storage. However, due to the large area of Tibetan Plateau (TP) lakes, the method of bathymetry was challenging to cover the whole region of one lake, and the accuracy of the underwater topography, in which no bathymetric data covered, was low, which resulted in a comparatively large error of lake water storage estimation and its change. In this study, we used Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and in situ bathymetric data to establish the underwater topography of Hohxil Lake (HL) and Lexiewudan Lake (LL) in the Hohxil Region of North TP and estimate and analyzed the changes of lake level and water storage. The results showed HL and LL’s water storage was 5.12 km3 and 5.31 km3 in 2019, respectively, and their level increased by 0.5 m/y and 0.57 m/y during 2003−2018, respectively. They were consistent with those (0.5 m/y and 0.5 m/y) from altimetry data, and they were much more accurate than those results (0.077 m/y and 0.156 m/y) from bathymetric data. These findings indicated that this method could improve the accuracy of lake water storage and change estimation. We estimated water storage of two lakes by combining with multitemporal Landsat images, which had doubled since 1976. Our results suggested that the increasing precipitation may dominate the lake expansion by comparing with the change of temperature and precipitation and the increasing glacial meltwater contributed approximately 4.8% and 10.7% to lake expansion of HL and LL during 2000–2019 based on the glacier mass balance data, respectively.

Depth information is crucial in most navigational analysis and decision support implemented in existing inland navigation systems. Bathymetric data sets need to be preprocessed and converted into Digital Terrain Model (DTM) by interpolation methods to provide different vector layers for Electronic Navigational Chart. Data for inland waters need to be precise and valid due to quickly alternating inland environment and much shallower areas than on marine waters. At the same, time visual effect of created layers needs to be readable and easily interpreted by a navigator. In this paper, we analyse and assess the results obtained after using several interpolation methods for DTM building. The experiments used real inland data from bathymetric surveys conducted on the waters of Szczecin area. The main novelty of the research is the use of generally known interpolation algorithms during processing of bathymetric big data, which are the primary layer in new mobile system for inland navigation. The created depth contours are the base of navigational analysis provided by the mobile inland navigation system MOBINAV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the present time, spatial data are often acquired using varied remote sensing sensors and systems, which produce big data sets. One significant product from these data is a digital model of geographical surfaces, including the surface of the sea floor. To improve data processing, presentation, and management, it is often indispensable to reduce the number of data points. This paper presents research regarding the application of artificial neural networks to bathymetric data reductions. This research considers results from radial networks and self-organizing Kohonen networks. During reconstructions of the seabed model, the results show that neural networks with fewer hidden neurons than the number of data points can replicate the original data set, while the Kohonen network can be used for clustering during big geodata reduction. Practical implementations of neural networks capable of creating surface models and reducing bathymetric data are presented.

The paper addresses the topical problems of information support (particularly, cartographic support) of the part of the Arctic Basin that is under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation. The structure of the bathymetry and navigation database for this territory is presented and the functions of the integrated environment created to maintain and use this database for research, navigation, and other purposes are described. The features of the query system for information retrieval are considered. The volume parameters of the database and the basic time characteristics of the integrated environment are analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An unusual finding of Sepietta oweniana egg clutch at 544 m depth is described within an updating study of the reproductive aspects of the species in Sardinian waters. Egg species identity was determined by genetic analysis and morphological and biometrical data of the eggs, embryos and one newly hatched specimen are reported and discussed. Illustrations of the eggs, spermatophores and spermatangia by photographic material are also included. Data on bathymetric distribution and sexual maturity are reported and compared with data already available for the species in other geographical areas of distribution.

The effect of the quality of bathymetric data on the accuracy of tsunami-wave field calculation is considered. A review of the history of the numerical tsunami modeling development is presented. Particular emphasis is made on the World Ocean bottom models. It is shown that the modern digital bathymetry maps, for example, GEBCO, do not adequately simulate the sea bottom in numerical models of wave propagation, leading to considerable errors in estimating the maximum tsunami run-ups on the coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanically scanned imaging sonars (MSIS) are mainly used for detection of small objects or aiding in underwater navigation in limited area. Obtained images are detailed and, especially for not experienced user, they may give an impression of a photography. However, the acoustic method of acquisition of sonar data must be taken into account, as understanding observed scene is essential to properly interpret the data. To aid the process of image interpretation the reference data may be used. In this paper the application of bathymetric data to MSIS sonar images is proposed. To match high resolution of MSIS images the density of bathymetric data must exceed the requirements of S-44 IHO norm. For this research a swath bathymetric system based on phase interferometry of acoustic signal was used to obtain such data in shallow waters. The article covers the motivation of usage of such data in comparison to other existing bathymetric systems. The proposed method uses acquired data to create additional channel in sonar image emphasizing sea-bed gradient in relation to sonar head position and distinguish invisible / shadowed areas. Proposed method is based on directional derivative of a sea-bed. Method presented in this article is a part of bigger research on enhancing interpretative potential of stationary sonar images [1]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Predicting species distribution and habitat suitability is of considerable use in supporting the implementation of environmental legislation, protection and conservation of marine waters and ecosystem-based management. As other seagrasses, Zostera noltii has declined worldwide, mainly due to human pressures, such as eutrophication and habitat loss. In the case of the Basque Country (northern Spain), the species is present only in 3 out of 12 estuaries. From the literature, it is known that at least 6 of these estuaries were formerly vegetated by this seagrass. Consequently, efforts to monitor and restore (potential) habitats have been enhanced. Therefore, we aim: (i) to determine the main environmental variables explaining Zostera noltii distribution, within the Basque estuaries based upon the Oka estuary; (ii) to model habitat suitability for this species, as a wider applicable management-decision tool for seagrass restoration; and (iii) to assess the applicability and predicted accuracy of the model by using internal and external validation methods. For this purpose, Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA) has been used to model habitat suitability, based upon topographical variables, obtained from bathymetric Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR); sediment characteristics variables; and hydrodynamic variables. The results obtained from the ecological factors of the ENFA (Marginality: 1.00; Specialization: 2.59) indicate that the species habitat differs considerably from the mean environmental conditions over the study area; likewise, that the species is restrictive in the selection of the range of conditions within which it dwells. The main environmental variables relating to the species distribution, in order of importance, are: mean grain size; redox potential; intertidal height; sediment sorting; slope of intertidal flat; percentage of gravels; and percentage of organic matter content. The model has a high predicted accuracy (Boyce index: 0.92). Model validation using an independent dataset in the Bidasoa estuary has shown the applicability but also the limitations in extrapolating the habitat suitability model to select suitable transplantation areas in other estuaries with similar morphological and biogeographical characteristics. ENFA-technique, applied with an accurate selection of environmental predictors, could be a promising tool for predicting seagrass habitat suitability which could assist on seagrass conservation and restoration programs worldwide. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: A bathymetric survey of 575km of the central Amazon River and one of its tributaries, the Purus, are combined with gauged data to characterise the Amazon flood wave, and for hydraulic modelling of the main channel for the period June 1995–March 1997 with the LISFLOOD-FP and HEC-RAS hydraulic models. Our investigations show that the Amazon flood wave is subcritical and diffusive in character and, due to shallow bed slopes, backwater conditions control significant reach lengths and are present for low and high water states. Comparison of the different models shows that it is necessary to include at least the diffusion term in any model, and the RMSE error in predicted water elevation at all cross sections introduced by ignoring the acceleration and advection terms is of the order of 0.02–0.03m. The use of a wide rectangular channel approximation introduces an error of 0.10–0.15m on the predicted water levels. Reducing the bathymetry to a simple bed slope and with mean cross section only, introduces an error in the order of 0.5m. These results show that when compared to the mean annual amplitude of the Amazon flood wave of 11–12m, water levels are relatively insensitive to the bathymetry of the channel model. The implication for remote sensing studies of the central Amazon channel, such as those proposed with the Surface Water and Ocean Topography mission (SWOT), is that even relatively crude assumptions regarding the channel bathymetry will be valid in order to derive discharge from water surface slope of the main channel, as long as the mean channel area is approximately correct. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The northern Red Sea represents a continental rift in its final stage and close to the following stage of seafloor spreading. Ocean deeps within the evaporites of the northern Red Sea seem to accompany this process and are thought to be surface expressions of first seafloor spreading cells. In 1999 during R/V Meteor cruise M44/3 a dense multichannel seismic and hydroacoustic survey was conducted in order to investigate the initial formation process of the Conrad Deep, a young northern Red Sea deep. Three seismic units were differentiated in the uppermost part of the Miocene evaporites and the Plio-Quaternary sediments. A weakness zone within the evaporites, oblique to the main extension direction of the Red Sea, led to a transtension process within the evaporites that opened the deep. Its formation is directly related to the emplacement of magmatic bodies in its vicinity and the focusing of the Red Sea extension to the axial depression. The Conrad Deep is an intra-evaporite basin that cannot be regarded as surficial expression of a basement structure as the low shear strength of the evaporites decouple the sediments from the basement. However, its position and shape in combination with the accompanying geophysical anomalies point to a strong correlation with the Red Sea rifting process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: New multichannel seismic and bathymetric data are presented, which clarify the Plio-Quaternary evolution of the northern Gulf of Aqaba (Elat) and the Dead Sea Transform (DST). The seismic data reveal two main seismic sequences, a lower (pretectonic) and an upper (syntectonic) unit, separated by a prominent unconformity. These units are each linked to a distinct tectonic phase in the history of the DST. Parallel horizons and an undisturbed internal structure point to a tectonic quite time or pure strike-slip without extension or compression during the first (pretectonic) phase. The second (syntectonic) phase, which begins in the early Pliocene, is characterized by a major change in the activity of the DST. The pretectonic sedimentary unit subsided and, consequently, dips southward with a supplementary inclination to the east. The coeval sedimentation of the syntectonic unit is recorded by the divergent reflection pattern and onlap terminations on the unconformity. The apparent fault system seems to be rearranged in the second phase. The stepover of the main strand of the DST from the eastern side of the Elat Deep to the western side of the northern Gulf of Aqaba was mapped in detail for the first time. The very smooth shape of the stepover and the apparent lack of extensional tectonics do not fit with the classical pull-apart basin model for the Elat Deep and point to a decoupling of the crystalline basement from the sedimentary overburden. Comparisons of the new geophysical findings with analog models support this assertion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Several techniques including analysis of bathymetric data, calculation of analytical parameters and computational hydrodynamic simulations are combined in this study to develop a conceptual understanding of processes causing morphological change in the Mersey Estuary between 1871 and 1997. Volumetric analysis demonstrates that morphological change is dominated by a trend of significant accretion between 1906 and 1977, with estuary volume reducing by ≈10% (70 Mm3), followed by a relatively small increase in volume between 1977 and 1997. Previous research identified the construction of training walls between 1906 and 1936 to stabilise the position of the low water channel in Liverpool Bay outside the estuary as a probable cause of perturbation.The paper examines the hypothesis that sedimentation in the estuary was controlled by changes to hydrodynamic flow and related sediment transport patterns outside the estuary resulting from training wall construction, and that the estuary has now evolved towards a stable state. The results from computational hydrodynamic models for the years 1906, 1936 and 1977 quantifying potential changes in sediment transport pathways from outside the estuary indicate a significant increase in potential sediment supply to the mouth of the estuary during the period of peak accretion. However, these changes cannot be solely attributed to construction of the training walls, but result from the combined effect of training wall construction and dredging activity in the sea approach channels. Furthermore, it is not simply changes in hydrodynamic flow characteristics that cause sedimentation but also the existence of salinity-induced gravitational circulation within the estuary and wider Liverpool Bay system that acts as an important mechanism for importing sediment into the estuary. Evidence for evolution towards a stable estuary state is provided by derivation of a sediment budget demonstrating a negligible net flux of sediment into the estuary between 1977 and 1997. The establishment of a stable state is attributed to a reduction in the calculated transport of sediment across Liverpool Bay reducing the supply of sediment to the estuary mouth. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ocean science and hydroacoustic seafloor mapping rely on accurate navigation underwater. By exploiting terrain information provided by a multibeam echosounder system, it is possible to significantly improve map quality. This article presents an algorithm capable of improving map quality and accuracy by aligning consecutive pings to tiles that are matched pairwise. A globally consistent solution is calculated from these matches. The proposed method has the potential to be used online in addition to other navigation solutions, but is mainly targeted for post processing. The algorithm was tested using different parameter settings on an AUV and a ship-based dataset. The ship-based dataset is publicly available as a benchmark. The original accurate navigation serving as a ground truth, alongside trajectories that include an artificial drift, are available. This allows quantitative comparisons between algorithms and parameter settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution, interpolation methods were assessed to build the bathymetry of 200 km of the Odra River in South Poland. The River Bed Mapping (RBM) was carried out surveying the depth of several reaches of the canalized part of the river using an Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) with an echo sounder as well as two navigation schemes. The values from the interpolation were compared with the data from a classical cross-sectional survey as part of the ISOK (Polish acronym for Information System of Country Protection Against Extraordinary Hazards) project. Two statistical errors between the interpolation values and the ISOK information were estimated, namely, the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). Thanks to the presented analysis, it was possible to compare and analyze which interpolation method fits the best for the batymetric surveying of a shallow river. For this specific case study, the TIN (Triangular Irregular Network) and the NN (Natural Neighbor) methods generates the most accurate RBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topographic structure of the ocean bottom is investigated at different scales of resolution to answer the question: Can the seafloor be described as a fractal process? Methods from geostatistics, the theory of regionalized variables, are used to analyze the spatial structure of the ocean floor at different scales of resolution. The key to the analysis is the variogram criterion: Self-similarity of a stochastic process implies self-similarity of its variogram. The criterion is derived and proved here: it also is valid for special cases of self-affinity (in a sense adequate for topography). It has been proposed that seafloor topography can be simulated as a fractal (an object of Hausdorff dimension strictly larger than its topological dimension), having scaling properties (self-similarity or self-affinity). The objective of this study is to compare the implications of these concepts with observations of the seafloor. The analyses are based on SEABEAM bathymetric data from the East Pacific Rise at 13°N/104°W and at 9°N/104°W and use tracks that run both across the ridge crest and along the ridge flank. In the geostatistical evaluation, the data are considered as a stochastic process. The spatial continuity of this process is described by variograms that are calculated for different scales and directions. Applications of the variogram criterion to scale-dependent variogram models yields the following results: Although the seafloor may be a fractal in the sense of the definition involving the Hausdorff dimension, it is not self-similar, nor self-affine (in the given sense). Mathematical models of scale-dependent spatial structures are presented, and their relationship to geologic processes such as ridge evolution, crust formation, and sedimentation is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake water storage is essential information for lake research. Previous studies usually used bathymetric data to acquire underwater topography by interpolation method, and to therefore estimate water storage. However, due to the large area of Tibetan Plateau (TP) lakes, the method of bathymetry was challenging to cover the whole region of one lake, and the accuracy of the underwater topography, in which no bathymetric data covered, was low, which resulted in a comparatively large error of lake water storage estimation and its change. In this study, we used Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and in situ bathymetric data to establish the underwater topography of Hohxil Lake (HL) and Lexiewudan Lake (LL) in the Hohxil Region of North TP and estimate and analyzed the changes of lake level and water storage. The results showed HL and LL's water storage was 5.12 km3 and 5.31 km3 in 2019, respectively, and their level increased by 0.5 m/y and 0.57 m/y during 2003−2018, respectively. They were consistent with those (0.5 m/y and 0.5 m/y) from altimetry data, and they were much more accurate than those results (0.077 m/y and 0.156 m/y) from bathymetric data. These findings indicated that this method could improve the accuracy of lake water storage and change estimation. We estimated water storage of two lakes by combining with multitemporal Landsat images, which had doubled since 1976. Our results suggested that the increasing precipitation may dominate the lake expansion by comparing with the change of temperature and precipitation and the increasing glacial meltwater contributed approximately 4.8% and 10.7% to lake expansion of HL and LL during 2000–2019 based on the glacier mass balance data, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Estimated lake water storage of two large lakes based on their bathymetric data. • Estimated lake water storage change by combining Landsat images and altimetry data. • Estimated the contribution of glacial meltwater to lake expansion. Lake water storage is an important factor in analyses of lake water balance. However, it is difficult to calculate the water storage of lakes on the Tibetan Plateau due to the lack of bathymetric data. Lake water storage and changes in Chibuzhang Co (CC) and Duoersuodong Co (DC), which are located in an endorheic system and have been connected since 2006, were estimated based on in situ bathymetric data, satellite altimetry data and Landsat images of the central Tibetan Plateau. In 2016, the maximum depth and water storage of DC were 68.7 m and 12.2 ± 1.72 km3, respectively, with an area of 490.2 km2, and those of CC were 116.3 m and 16.2 ± 2.27 km3, respectively, with an area of 575.4 km2. The total lake water storage in DC and CC increased by 24.5% (2.4 km3) and 14.1% (2 km3) from 2003 to 2014, respectively, based on satellite altimetry data and Landsat images using an empirical equation. The relationship between lake changes and meteorological factors indicated that both increased glacial meltwater and increased precipitation were important drivers of each lake's expansion and that a small increase in evaporation (2.5 mm/y) had little negative impact on lake expansion (0.41 m/y). Heterogeneous changes in the two lakes from 1993 to 2005 were mainly due to water from CC supplying DC through a channel, and the lake level of DC was always lower than that of CC until 2006, indicating that the geological conditions around both lakes were also an important factor in the lake changes. The assumption was that all glacial meltwater from the Puruogangri and Geladandong glaciers was supplied to the two lakes through runoff with minimal evaporation, and glacial meltwater made an approximately 19.3 ± 4.5% contribution to the lake expansions (0.4 km3/y) of DC and CC from 2003 to 2014 based on the results of the glacier mass balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the present time, spatial data are often acquired using varied remote sensing sensors and systems, which produce big data sets. One significant product from these data is a digital model of geographical surfaces, including the surface of the sea floor. To improve data processing, presentation, and management, it is often indispensable to reduce the number of data points. This paper presents research regarding the application of artificial neural networks to bathymetric data reductions. This research considers results from radial networks and self-organizing Kohonen networks. During reconstructions of the seabed model, the results show that neural networks with fewer hidden neurons than the number of data points can replicate the original data set, while the Kohonen network can be used for clustering during big geodata reduction. Practical implementations of neural networks capable of creating surface models and reducing bathymetric data are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the papers in this thematic section present regional perspectives that build on more than 100 years of geologic investigation in Long Island Sound. When viewed collectively, a common theme emerges in these works. The major geologic components of the Long Island Soundbasin (bedrock, buried coastal-plain strata, recessional moraines, glacial-lake deposits, and the remains of a large marine delta) interact with the water body to affect the way the modern sedimentary system functions. Previous work, along with our present knowledge of the geologic framework of the Long Island Sound basin, is comprehensively reviewed with this theme in mind. Aspects of the crystalline bedrock,and the deltaic deposits associated with glacial Lake Connecticut, are examined with respect to their influence on sedimentation along the Connecticut coast and in the northern and western Sound. We also discuss the influence of the glacial drift that mantles the coastal-plain remnant along the north shore of Long Island and in the southern Sound. A total of approximately 22.7 billion m3 of marine sediment has accumulated in the Long Island Sound basin. A significantportion (44%) of the fine-grained marine section in the central and western basins was redistributed there from the eastern Sound, as tidal scour removed slightly over 5 billion m3 (5.3 x 1012 kg) of fine material from glacial-lake and early-marine deposits east of the Connecticut River. The remainder of the estimated 1.2 x 1013 kg of fine-grained marine sediment that now resides in the central and western Sound can be accounted for by riverine input over the past 13.5 ka. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]