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Articles

1984: Vol. LXI, No. 2

Morphometric Processing of Sounding Profiles and Comparison with Visual Analysis

Submitted
August 6, 2015
Published
2015-07-15

Abstract

Morphometric analysis based on data processing of sounding profiles is presented in this study. The process involves segmentation of profiles so that units of equal length are dealt with, and calculation of the following characteristic parameters : maximum amplitude — relief — ruggedness of bottom features. The programme developed is applied in the study of 21 sounding profiles recorded between the shore and an offshore depth of 25 m, south of the Gironde estuary (S.W. France). The quantitative results are compared with visual analysis of the echograms. Comparison of the various charts obtained (figs. 1,9, 10 and 11) shows that the results are complementary. Visual analysis has a higher power of resolution and enables areas of strikingly contrasting morphology to be rapidly located. Quantitative analysis enables the undersea features to be strictly classified, even in complex areas where the eye cannot distinguish the many shades of difference. This process has been conceived to define the characteristics of the superficial physical structure of the sea floor, but use of a digital sounder seems necessary if the process is to be developed and its use to become accepted.