Stretched Sidescan-Sonar Image of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Survey H11321 in Central Rhode Island Sound (H11321_1M_SSS_GEO_STR.TIF, Geographic)

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is working cooperatively with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to interpret the surficial geology in estuaries along the coast of the northeastern United States. The purpose of our present study is to define the sea floor morphology and sedimentary environments in an area of Rhode Island Sound using sidescan-sonar imagery, multibeam bathymetry, and seismic records. The mosaic, bathymetry, and their interpretations serve many purposes, including: (1) defining the geological variability of the sea floor, which is one of the primary controls of benthic habitat diversity; (2) improving our understanding of the processes that control the distribution and transport of bottom sediments and their distribution of benthic habitats and associated infaunal community structures; and (3) providing a detailed framework for future research, monitoring, and management activities. The sidescan-sonar mosaics and bathymetry images also serve as base maps for subsequent sedimentological, geochemical, and biological observations, because precise information on environmental setting is important for selection of sampling sites and for accurate interpretations of point measurements.

美国地质调查局（United States Geological Survey，USGS）正与美国国家海洋和大气管理局（National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration，NOAA）开展合作，对美国东北海岸沿线河口的表层地质进行解译。本研究的目的为：借助侧扫声呐图像（sidescan-sonar imagery）、多波束测深数据（multibeam bathymetry）及地震记录（seismic records），明确罗德岛海峡区域的海底地貌与沉积环境。该声呐拼接图、测深数据及其解译成果可服务于多项用途：其一，界定海底地质的空间变异性，这是调控底栖生境（benthic habitat）多样性的核心控制因素之一；其二，加深对控制海底沉积物分布运移、底栖生境分布及相关底内生物群落（infaunal community）结构的过程的理解；其三，为后续的科研、监测与管理活动提供精细化的研究框架。此外，侧扫声呐拼接图与测深图像还可作为后续沉积学、地球化学及生物学观测的基础底图，因为环境背景的精准信息对于采样点位的遴选以及单点测量结果的准确解译至关重要。