Lagrangian floats as sea floor imaging platforms
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
10-1-2011
Abstract
There is a persistent need for high resolution photographic images of the sea floor and associated biota for marine habitat classification and fisheries stock assessment. This paper presents a novel low cost Lagrangian imaging platform that offers high quality images with reduced operational demands in comparison to existing methodologies such as diver surveys, drop cameras, ship towed systems and dedicated remote or autonomous underwater vehicles. The platform consists of a recently developed bottom following Lagrangian float fit with down looking stereo cameras and strobe lighting. The float can use active ballasting to perform constant altitude photographic drift surveys in coastal waters over varying bathymetry. Images from the float can be used to create large photomosaics, stereographic bathymetry estimates and image-derived current measurements. Test data are presented to demonstrate the operation of the Lagrangian float and summarize the data products. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Continental Shelf Research
Volume
31
Issue
15
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Roman, Chris, Gabrielle Inglis, and Bryan McGilvray. "Lagrangian floats as sea floor imaging platforms." Continental Shelf Research 31, 15 (2011): 1592-1598. doi: 10.1016/j.csr.2011.06.019.