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ACOUSTIC IDENTIFICATION OF NEAR-SHORE SUBSTRATES IN THE GREAT LAKES
Citation:
West, C W., J. V. Scharold, P. M. Yurista, AND J. R. Kelly. ACOUSTIC IDENTIFICATION OF NEAR-SHORE SUBSTRATES IN THE GREAT LAKES. Presented at International Association for Great Lakes Research Meeting, Chicago IL, June 23-26, 2003.
Description:
Geo-referenced acoustic information is being used more often in research as a viable tool for everything from simple bathymetry to fisheries research and paleo-sediment studies. In the summer of 2002 geo-referenced acoustic soundings (QTC 4?) were recorded for ~20 km of lake bottom at 44 shoreline sites across the U.S. waters of the Great Lakes. Depths ranged from 4 m to 123 m with the majority of the records collected in waters less than 20 m. Along with acoustic records, sediment samples, and under-water camera images were collected from predetermined sampling points and from areas with distinct acoustic signatures. The information allows creation of an acoustic catalog (QTC Impact 3.20 ?) directly linked to substrate character (particle size, dry wt, and organic content). The acoustic catalog thus enables synoptic mapping and allows exploration, across the spectrum of selected sites, of patterns in substrate variability (as a biological habitat feature) as they relate to adjacent coastal land use and other shoreline/bathymetric features.