H11320_1M_SSS_GEO_EN.TIF: Enhanced Composite Sidescan Sonar Mosaic of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Survey H11320 in Rhode Island Sound (Geographic)

The U.S. 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 interpret the distributions of surficial sediments 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 the 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（U.S. Geological Survey, USGS）正与美国国家海洋和大气管理局（National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA）合作，对美国东北海岸沿线河口的表层地质开展解译工作。本研究的目标是利用侧扫声呐（sidescan sonar）图像、多波束测深（multibeam bathymetry）数据与地震记录，解译罗德岛湾某区域内的表层沉积物分布与沉积环境。该侧扫声呐镶嵌图、测深数据及其解译成果可服务于多类目标，包括：（1）明确海底地质差异性，这是底栖生境（benthic habitat）多样性的主要控制因素之一；（2）加深对调控海底沉积物分布与输运、底栖生境及相关底内生物群落（infaunal community）结构分布过程的理解；（3）为未来的研究、监测与管理活动提供精细化框架。侧扫声呐镶嵌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选取以及单点测量结果的准确解译至关重要。