Automatic Detection of Marine Gas Seeps Using an Interferometric Sidescan Sonar

Blomberg, Ann Elisabeth Albright; Sæbø, Torstein Olsmo; Hansen, Roy Edgar; Pedersen, Rolf B.; Austeng, Andreas

doi:10.1109/joe.2016.2592559

Cited by 37 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…In radar and sonar interferometry, the interferometric coherence refers to the degree of coherence between complex-valued images obtained simultaneously at different spatial locations, and is used as a data quality measure [ 45 , 46 , 47 ]. In [ 33 ], the interferometric coherence is used as a feature for automatic gas seep detection. Temporal coherence is a measure of the similarity of measurements acquired at the same spatial location but acquired with a time delay, and is useful for instance in change detection [ 48 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gas bubbles in water are visible in acoustic backscatter images (sonar images and echograms) due to the significant contrast in acoustic impedance between gas-filled bubbles and water [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Marine gas seeps have previously been studied using a range of acoustic technologies including single- and multibeam echo sounders (MBES) [ 15 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ], split-beam echo sounders (SBES) [ 2 , 7 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ], sidescan sonar [ 32 , 33 ], and passive sonar [ 34 , 35 , 36 ]. MBES are routinely used for seafloor mapping, and are currently the prevailing method also for mapping marine gas seeps due to their high area coverage rate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Improved Visualization of Hydroacoustic Plumes Using the Split-Beam Aperture Coherence

Blomberg

Weber

Austeng

2018

Sensors

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Natural seepage of methane into the oceans is considerable, and plays a role in the global carbon cycle. Estimating the amount of this greenhouse gas entering the water column is important in order to understand their environmental impact. In addition, leakage from man-made structures such as gas pipelines may have environmental and economical consequences and should be promptly detected. Split beam echo sounders (SBES) detect hydroacoustic plumes due to the significant contrast in acoustic impedance between water and free gas. SBES are also powerful tools for plume characterization, with the ability to provide absolute acoustic measurements, estimate bubble trajectories, and capture the frequency dependent response of bubbles. However, under challenging conditions such as deep water and considerable background noise, it can be difficult to detect the presence of gas seepage from the acoustic imagery alone. The spatial coherence of the wavefield measured across the split beam sectors, quantified by the coherence factor (CF), is a computationally simple, easily available quantity which complements the acoustic imagery and may ease the ability to automatically or visually detect bubbles in the water column. We demonstrate the benefits of CF processing using SBES data from the Hudson Canyon, acquired using the Simrad EK80 SBES. We observe that hydroacoustic plumes appear more clearly defined and are easier to detect in the CF imagery than in the acoustic backscatter images.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improved Visualization of Hydroacoustic Plumes Using the Split-Beam Aperture Coherence

Blomberg

Weber

Austeng

2018

Sensors

Self Cite

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“…Autonomous Underwater Vehicles have been fitted with multi-beam echosounders, sidescan sonars, and sub-bottom profilers (Nakamura et al, 2013;Thompson et al, 2015;Blomberg et al, 2017). The weight and power requirements of these sensors demand large AUVs that have short endurance and require research vessel support, but they have still proven the concept of automating some survey applications.…”

Section: Physical Oceanographic Sensorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Future Vision for Autonomous Ocean Observations

Whitt¹,

Pearlman²,

Polagye

et al. 2020

Front. Mar. Sci.

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Whitt et al. Future of Autonomous Ocean Observations reductions. Cost reductions could enable order-of-magnitude increases in platform operations and increase sampling resolution for a given level of investment. Energy harvesting technologies should be integral to the system design, for sensors, platforms, vehicles, and docking stations. Connections are needed between the marine energy and ocean observing communities to coordinate among funding sources, researchers, and end users. Regional teams should work with global organizations such as IOC/GOOS in governance development. International networks such as emerging glider operations (EGO) should also provide a forum for addressing governance. Networks of multiple vehicles can improve operational efficiencies and transform operational patterns. There is a need to develop operational architectures at regional and global scales to provide a backbone for active networking of autonomous platforms.

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“…In the context of marine GCS monitoring, side scan sonars are highly useful tools because they can cover a large area efficiently and detect both bubble seepage in the water column and map the seabed, including features indicative of fluid flow and marine habitats [25][26][27][28]. The imaging and bubble-detection range of side scan sonars is system-and site-dependent, with typical ranges in the order of 50 to 200 m. Several publications demonstrate the use of an AUV-mounted side scan sonar to detect bubble seepage of CO 2 and CH 4 at the seabed [26,27]. While there are few studies that quantitatively investigate the detection range and sensitivity of side scan sonars in the context of bubble seepage, a few examples have been published.…”

Section: Acoustic Sensorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Marine Monitoring for Offshore Geological Carbon Storage—A Review of Strategies, Technologies and Trends

et al. 2021

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Carbon capture and storage (CCS) could significantly contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reaching international climate goals. In this process, CO2 is captured and injected into geological formations for permanent storage. The injected plume and its migration within the reservoir is carefully monitored, using geophysical methods. While it is considered unlikely that the injected CO2 should escape the reservoir and reach the marine environment, marine monitoring is required to verify that there are no indications of leakage, and to detect and quantify leakage if it should occur. Marine monitoring is challenging because of the considerable area to be covered, the limited spatial and temporal extent of a potential leakage event, and the considerable natural variability in the marine environment. In this review, we summarize marine monitoring strategies developed to ensure adequate monitoring of the marine environment without introducing prohibitive costs. We also provide an overview of the many different technologies applicable to different aspects of marine monitoring of geologically stored carbon. Finally, we identify remaining knowledge gaps and indicate expected directions for future research.

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Automatic Detection of Marine Gas Seeps Using an Interferometric Sidescan Sonar

Cited by 37 publications

References 33 publications

Improved Visualization of Hydroacoustic Plumes Using the Split-Beam Aperture Coherence

Improved Visualization of Hydroacoustic Plumes Using the Split-Beam Aperture Coherence

Future Vision for Autonomous Ocean Observations

Marine Monitoring for Offshore Geological Carbon Storage—A Review of Strategies, Technologies and Trends

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