Underwater Hyperspectral Imaging for Seabed Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring seabed impacts and environmental footprints from natural or man-made sedimentation, such as drill cuttings and aquaculture waste, are inefficient due to operator bias, time-consuming, and lack the ability to detect subtle changes or properties in underwater environments, especially in areas with similar sediment colors.
Innovation Solution
An underwater hyperspectral imaging system using an imager and illumination source arranged on an underwater vehicle to capture detailed spectral data along transects, allowing for the detection and classification of ecological, chemical, and sediment indicators, including benthic organisms, biofilm, and sediment composition, by comparing data with stored spectral signatures and accounting for water optical effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If visual inspection using POV photography, video and grab sampling is used, then monitoring of seabed impacts can be performed, but the methods are time-consuming and subject to operator bias
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and physical grab sampling with an automated hyperspectral imaging system that uses optical sensors to capture and analyze spectral data from the seabed, eliminating operator bias and significantly reducing analysis time while improving detection precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the monitoring approach by measuring spectral parameters across multiple wavelength bands rather than relying on human visual perception, enabling detection of subtle differences in sediment composition and biological indicators that are invisible to the human eye
2Quantity of substance
If physical grab sampling is used, then sample collection for analysis can be performed, but long processing time post-survey is required
Solution Approach 1:
The hyperspectral imager creates a digital spectral copy of the seabed environment, capturing comprehensive information about sediment composition and biological indicators without physical contact, thereby eliminating the time-consuming processes of sample collection, preservation, and laboratory analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automated spectral analysis and classification of seabed features directly in the field, with the imaging system and processing algorithms working together to generate results without requiring subsequent laboratory processing
3Measurement precision
If point sampling around fish pens is used, then environmental monitoring can be performed, but non-representative areas may be hit providing a skewed image
Solution Approach 1:
The hyperspectral imaging system provides comprehensive area-wide monitoring that simultaneously captures data across the entire seabed environment, ensuring representative sampling of all features including dispersed sediment plumes and biological indicators without missing critical areas that point sampling might overlook
4Reliability
If remediation measures are implemented, then contaminated sediments can be removed or capped, but monitoring of succession stages requires extensive time and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The hyperspectral monitoring system enables continuous or repeated monitoring of the same area over time, tracking spectral changes that indicate succession stages and remediation effectiveness without the logistical constraints of repeated physical sampling campaigns
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables accurate, automated, and efficient monitoring of seabed impacts and environmental footprints, providing real-time data on changes and conditions, reducing the need for labor-intensive physical sampling and improving the assessment of remediation efforts and environmental health.
Implementation Method 1
A hyperspectral imager (also known as an imaging spectrometer, imaging spectroscope, imaging spectroradiometer, superspectral or ultraspectral imager), can determine the light intensity from each point or pixel of a scene for each of a large number (typically hundreds) of wavelength bands
Implementation Method 2
an underwater hyperspectral imager comprising at least one illumination source and at least one hyperspectral imager
Implementation Method 3
The method further comprises compensating water optical effects
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for underwater hyperspectral imaging of seabed impact, environmental state or environmental footprint from natural or man-made sedimentation comprising hyperspectral imaging of ecological, chemical or sediment indicators in an observation area and identifying and classifying ecological, chemical or sediment indicators in the observation area.