FSML: High-resolution acoustic imaging sonar for research and education at the Baruch Marine Field Laboratory

高分辨率声像声纳等技术的进步使研究人员能够可视化和测量河口和沿海生态系统内的动物和栖息地特征，这些生态系统的水域通常过于多云，不适合标准摄像机。该奖项是为了表彰南卡罗来纳大学巴鲁克海洋野外实验室(BMFL；www.Baruch.sc.edu)，用于开展研究和加强从小学早期学校到终身学习计划的各级教育。声学成像声纳与传统(如网络、环境传感器)和其他先进的现场采样技术(如航空成像、地面激光扫描仪)相结合，将使研究人员和教育工作者能够在这些动态和具有挑战性的水生生境中进行远远超出目前可能的探测。声学成像声纳发射声脉冲，并将返回的回声转换为高分辨率的数字图像，很像医学超声超声波。因此，声学成像声纳可以在零能见度条件下“看到”，从而有可能跟踪活动的生物和描绘水下结构。不受河口和海岸环境浑浊水域的阻碍，声学成像可以在白天和晚上工作，对动物或栖息地的干扰很小或几乎没有，而且劳动强度大大降低(例如，1人)。综合起来，这些属性为BMFL提供了无与伦比的强大的观察和实验研究机会，将促进与外部和校园调查人员的新合作。高分辨率声学成像将被用来解决这些以前无法穿透的河口和海岸栖息地中的生物-栖息地关系、物理过程和动物行为等问题。这将极大地促进我们对这些生态系统如何运作的理解。高分辨率声成像声纳将通过在现场和实验室使用实验方法在广泛的学科中应用，将增强和扩大BMFL的研究能力和生产率。基于大量现成的现场历史数据库观察的实验将使科学家能够开发和测试假说，并发现对观察到的模式和关系负责的机制。此外，由于BMFL周围的海岸和河口栖息地受到永久保护，将北海湾河口作为未受干扰的控制点进行长期比较研究的可能性很高。BMFL在北海湾河口边缘拥有设备齐全的设施，在跨学科研究、数据管理以及教育和外联方面拥有数十年的历史。因此，BMFL处于有利地位，可以使用高分辨率声学成像通过合作研究开发新的探索路线，启动和维护长期项目数据库，培训年轻科学家，并为所有年龄段的学生和普通公众创造令人兴奋和吸引人的互动教育活动。

Advances in technology, such as high-resolution acoustic imaging sonar, are enabling researchers to visualize and measure animals and habitat features within estuarine and coastal ecosystems, where waters are typically too cloudy for standard video cameras. This award is for the acquisition of an acoustic imaging sonar at the University of South Carolina's Baruch Marine Field Laboratory (BMFL; www. baruch.sc.edu) for conducting research and enhancing education at levels ranging from early grade school to lifelong learning programs. The acoustic imaging sonar, in combination with traditional (e.g., nets, environmental sensors) and other advanced (e.g., aerial imaging, terrestrial laser scanners) field sampling techniques will allow researchers and educators to probe far beyond what is currently possible in these dynamic and challenging aquatic habitats. Acoustic imaging sonars transmit sound pulses and convert the returning echoes into high-resolution digital images, much like a medical ultrasound sonogram. Thus, acoustic imaging sonars can "see" in zero visibility conditions, making it possible to track motile organisms and delineate underwater structures. Unhindered by the turbid waters of estuarine and coastal environments, acoustic imaging can operate during both day and night, with minimal or no disturbance to animals or habitats, and at much reduced labor intensity (e.g., 1 person). Together these attributes provide unmatched and powerful observational and experimental research opportunities at the BMFL that will foster new collaborations with both outside and campus-based investigators. High-resolution acoustic imaging will be used to address questions about organism-habitat relationships, physical processes, and animal behavior in these previously impenetrable estuarine and coastal habitats. It will greatly advance our understanding of how these ecosystems function. With applications in a broad range of disciplines using experimental approaches in both the field and laboratory, high-resolution acoustic imaging sonar will enhance and expand research capabilities and productivity at the BMFL. Experiments based on observations from numerous readily available on-site historical databases will enable scientists to develop and test hypotheses and discover mechanisms responsible for observed patterns and relationships. Further, because the coastal and estuarine habitats surrounding the BMFL are protected in perpetuity, the potential for long-term comparative studies using the North Inlet estuary as an undisturbed control site is high. With well-equipped facilities at the edge of the North Inlet estuary, the BMFL has a decades' long history of interdisciplinary research, data management, and education and outreach. Accordingly, the BMFL is well positioned to use high-resolution acoustic imaging to develop novel lines of inquiry through collaborative research, initiate and maintain long-term project databases, train young scientists, and create exciting and engaging interactive educational activities for students of all ages and the general public.