High-frequency snippet backscatter information – Introducing a promising alternative to precisely detect surficial ammunition in shallow coastal waters

Within the last years, backscatter information collected with high-frequency multibeam echo sounder systems are moving more and more to the centre of the hydrography community’s attention. Not only the imagery processing possibilities for backscatter information, but also the image generating technique itself has been strongly optimised. Using snippet backscatter data, high-resolution images with a pixel size of up to 0.05 m for shallow coastal waters can be generated. Combined with the possibility of vessel-based differential global navigation satellite system (DGNSS) positioning, snippet backscatter information can be indicated as a promising prospective method for surficial ammunition detection offering a horizontal positioning accuracy of up to 0.1 m. To stay abreast of changes, this article should introduce the fundamentals of a baseline study conducted within a cruise with RV »Alkor« (AL447).

ammunition detection | Baltic Sea | DGNSS | multibeam echo sounder | snippet backscatter