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

技术的进步，如高分辨率声成像声纳，使研究人员能够可视化和测量河口和沿海生态系统中的动物和栖息地特征，这些水域通常过于浑浊，无法使用标准摄像机。该合同是为南卡罗来纳大学巴鲁克海洋野外实验室（BMFL）采购声学成像声纳。Baruch.sc.edu)进行研究，并加强从小学早期到终身学习项目的各级教育。声成像声纳，结合传统的（如网、环境传感器）和其他先进的（如航空成像、地面激光扫描仪）现场采样技术，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栖息地中探索远远超出目前可能的范围。声成像声纳发射声脉冲，并将返回的回声转换成高分辨率的数字图像，很像医学超声图。因此，声成像声呐可以在零能见度条件下“看到”，使跟踪活动生物和描绘水下结构成为可能。不受河口和沿海浑浊水域的阻碍，声学成像可以在白天和夜间进行，对动物或栖息地的干扰最小或没有干扰，并且大大降低了劳动强度（例如1人）。这些特点共同为BMFL提供了无与伦比的强大的观察和实验研究机会，这将促进与外部和校园研究人员的新合作。高分辨率声学成像将用于解决这些以前难以穿透的河口和沿海栖息地中有关生物-栖息地关系，物理过程和动物行为的问题。它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在野外和实验室的实验方法应用于广泛的学科，将增强和扩大BMFL的研究能力和生产力。基于大量现成的现场历史数据库的观察结果的实验将使科学家能够发展和检验假设，并发现导致观察到的模式和关系的机制。此外，由于BMFL周围的海岸和河口栖息地是永久保护的，因此将北入口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在北入口河口边缘拥有设备齐全的设施，在跨学科研究，数据管理，教育和推广方面拥有数十年的悠久历史。因此，BMFL能够很好地利用高分辨率声学成像，通过合作研究开发新的研究路线，启动和维护长期项目数据库，培训年轻科学家，并为所有年龄的学生和公众创造令人兴奋和引人入胜的互动教育活动。

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.