Geoacoustical investigations of the benthos
Starts: April 2, 2010 at 3:30 PM
Location: McHugh Auditorium, Watermen's Hall
Contact: Rochelle Seitz, 804-684-7698, [[seitz]]
Summary
Science lecture by assistant professor Art Trembanis of the University of Delaware.
Full Description
Title
Exposing the Belly of the Benthos—Geoacoustical investigations of benthic hard-bottom habitats, worms nodules, sponges, microbialites, and more
Background
Dr. Art Trembanis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Delaware, and director of the Coastal Sediments Hydrodynamics & Engineering Lab. Trembanis and his laboratory colleagues seek to understand the morphodynamic processes of coastal systems. This work entails collaboration and integration of geological, physical, biological, and chemical oceanography from estuaries to the outer edge of the continental shelf. Ongoing topics of interest include decadal patterns of beach behavior, scour processes associated with natural seafloor features and manmade objects, interactions between estuarine circulation, hypoxia, and fish behavior. Additional efforts focus on the development of coastal ocean observing systems, especially using underwater robotics and remotely deployed instruments. His technical approach involves extensive field work, novel time-series and statistical analyses, analytical and numerical modeling, and the fusion of all three within advanced mapping and visualization systems. Dr. Trembanis earned his Ph.D. at VIMS in 2004.
Abstract
Both national and international efforts are promoting the practice of marine spatial planning (MSP), which seeks to inform environmental problems with multidisciplinary information of the dynamic 4-dimensional qualities of the marine realm. Concomitant with the push of MSP has been the rise of ocean observing systems and particularly the development of mobile Lagrangian platforms (i.e. AUVs and gliders). As we increasingly enter the age of robots the opportunities for remote characterization and monitoring of critical benthic habitats is growing dramatically. In this talk we will highlight recent results from several studies in the US and around the globe showing the use of advanced technology (AUVs, ROVs, etc.) together with new geoacoustic techniques (ARA) to measure and classify seabed texture in diverse settings. From coral reefs in the Caribbean to alpine lake microbialites to sand-worm reefs in Delaware Bay, the ability of AUVs to provide efficient high-resolution maps of morphology and physico-chemical conditions is illustrated.
