• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.121-134
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• 2016

We characterize the spatial distribution of Cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts covering the summit and slopes of a seamount in the western Pacific, using acoustic backscatter from multibeam echo sounders (MBES) and seafloor video observation. Based on multibeam bathymetric data, we identify that ~70% of the summit area of this flattopped seamount has slope gradients less than $5^{\circ}$. The histogram of the backscatter intensity data shows a bi-modal distribution, indicating significant variations in seabed hardness. On the one hand, visual inspection of the seafloor using deep-sea camera data exhibits that the steep slope areas with high backscatter are mainly covered by manganese crusts. On the other hand, the visual analyses for the summit reveal that the summit areas with relatively low backscatter are covered by sediments. The other summit areas, however, exhibit high acoustic reflectivity due to coexistence of manganese crusts and sediments. Comparison between seafloor video images and acoustic backscatter intensity suggests that the central summit has relatively flat topography and low backscatter intensity resulting from unconsolidated sediments. In addition, the rim of the summit and the slopes are of high acoustic reflectivity because of manganese crusts and/or bedrock outcrops with little sediments. Therefore, we find a strong correlation between the acoustic backscatter data acquired from sea-surface multibeam survey and the spatial distribution of sediments and manganese crusts. We propose that analyzing acoustic backscatter can be one of practical methods to select optimal minable areas of the ferromanganese crusts from seamounts for future mining.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.707-721
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• 2002

Seafloor acoustic image data using the side scan sonar system were gathered on the Sindu-ri offshore near the Taean peninsula, middle western Korea. The relationship between the back-scattering acoustic intensity and the sea-bottom sediment properties was studied. And these two data sets were compared and interpreted with the water depth, respectively. Most of sediment properties were correlated well to the acoustic intensity, however the distribution patterns of the sea-bottom sediment and the seafloor acoustic image were not similar to each other except the rocky bottom area. The water depth was not only influential on the distribution pattern of seafloor acoustic image but also showed a linear relation with the sediment properties distribution.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.97-102
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• 2005

Acoustic experiments were performed with Zostera marina to study the characteristics of backscattering of seagrass living in the bottom interface. Field experiments were conducted in the Dongdae man, Namhae for day and night to consider the effects of air-bubble from photosynthesis of seagrass. The multi-frequency (30$\~$120 kHz) responses were measured and the distributions of back scattering strength due to the movement of seagrass were Presented by PDF (probability density function) at 120 120 kHz. The results were shown both the frequency dependence and diurnal variation of the backscattering strength between day and night. This diurnal variation may be caused by the amount of oxygen in dissolved bubbles formed by Photosynthesis of seagrass.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.379-390
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• 2015

Multibeam backscatter strength is dependent not only on seafloor sediment facies but also on changed incidence angle due to the actual bottom slope. Therefore, the correction for actual bottom slope should be considered before the analysis of backscatter strength. This paper demonstrates the backscatter correction technique for the actual incidence angle and ensonified area. The target area is a part of the eastern Yellow Sea with water depths of 46~55 m. The area is located between the sand ridges and covered by large dunes with various bottom slopes. The dunes usually have the gentle slopes of about $1{\sim}3^{\circ}$, but show some steep slopes of $5{\sim}15^{\circ}$ on the crest. The backscatter strength values on the crest range from -34 to -23 dB, assuming that the bottom is flat. However, this study shows that the backscatter strength range was somewhat reduced (-32~-25 dB) after correction for actual bottom slope. In addition, the backscatter imagery was significantly improved; high and low backscatter strength values on the crest due to the actual bottom slope were normalized. The results demonstrate that the correction technique in this study is an effective tool for processing backscatter strength.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.137-140
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• 2008

During CHAOS (2003, 2006) and SSGH projects (2007), acoustic investigation including hydroacoustic (HA), side-scan sonar (SSS) and highresolution sparker seismic (HSS) surveys was carried out on the northeastern Sakhalin slope ($53^{\circ}56'\;N$, $143^{\circ}52'\;E$ to $54^{\circ}40'\;N$, $144^{\circ}32'\;E$). More than 130 methane seeps with high backscatter intensity are identified on SSS mosaic, which are well accompanied with gas flares in the water column on HA profiles and subbottom gas chimneys on HSS profiles. It is likely that that some seeps align along a NW strike parallel to the Lavrentiev Fault.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.80-87
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• 2011

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) present the important advantage of being able to approach the seafloor more closely than surface vessel surveys can. To collect bathymetric data, bottom material information, and sub-surface images, multibeam echosounder, sidescan sonar (SSS) and subbottom profiler (SBP) equipment mounted on an AUV are powerful tools. The 3000m class AUV URASHIMA was developed by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). After finishing the engineering development and examination phase of a fuel-cell system used for the vehicle's power supply system, a renovated lithium-ion battery power system was installed in URASHIMA. The AUV was redeployed from its prior engineering tasks to scientific use. Various scientific instruments were loaded on the vehicle, and experimental dives for science-oriented missions conducted from 2006. During the experimental cruise of 2007, high-resolution acoustic images were obtained by SSS and SBP on the URASHIMA around the northern Kumano Basin off Japan's Kii Peninsula. The map of backscatter intensity data revealed many debris objects, and SBP images revealed the subsurface structure around the north-eastern end of our study area. These features suggest a structure related to the formation of the latest submarine fan. However, a strong reflection layer exists below ~20 ms below the seafloor in the south-western area, which we interpret as a denudation feature, now covered with younger surface sediments. We continue to improve the vehicle's performance, and expect that many fruitful results will be obtained using URASHIMA.