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Flare imaging with multibeam systems: Data processing for bubble detection at seeps

TitleFlare imaging with multibeam systems: Data processing for bubble detection at seeps
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2007
AuthorsJ. von Deimling, S, Brockhoff, J, Greinert, J
JournalGeochem. Geophys. Geosyst.Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst.Geochem. Geophys. Geosys.
Volume8
PaginationQ06004, doi:10.1029/2007GC001577
Keywords3004 Marine Geology and Geophysics: Gas and hydrate systems, 3094 Marine Geology and Geophysics: Instruments and, 4562 Oceanography: Physical: Topographic/, acoustic, data processing, bathymetric interactions, bubbles, flare imaging, Index Terms: 4259 Oceanography: General: Ocean acoustics, methane seeps, bathymetry, Multibeam, seafloor mapping, multibeam bathymetry, sonar, techniques
Abstract

Multibeam sonar surveys have been conducted since their invention in the 1970s; however, mainly
reflections from the seafloor were considered so far. More recently, water column imaging with multibeam
is becoming of increasing interest for fisheries, buoy, mooring, or gas detection in the water column. Using
ELAC SEABEAM 1000 data, we propose a technique to detect gas bubbles (flares) although this system is
originally not designed to record water column data. The described data processing represents a case study
and can be easily adapted to other multibeam systems. Multibeam data sets from the Black Sea and the
North Sea show reflections of gas bubbles that form flares in the water column. At least for reasonably
intense gas escape the detection of bubbles is feasible. The multibeam technique yields exact determination
of the source position and information about the dimension of the gas cloud in the water. Compared to
conventional flare imaging by single-beam echo sounders, the wide swath angle of multibeam systems
allows the mapping of large areas in much shorter time.

Short TitleEarth and Planetary Science LettersGeochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
Alternate JournalGeochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems