Recovery of unattached offshore facilities or missing equipments is a challenging activity. Generally speaking, this activity involves a comprehensive procedure which includes: target characterization, searching, detection, verification, locating, reacquisition and salvage. Among them, target searching and detection are the most critical components of the whole procedure. The purpose of this investigation was dedicated in discussing the efficiency by the application of side-scan sonar, magnetometer and sub-bottom profiler simultaneously in searching, detecting, identifying and locating underwater stationary targets. Procedures of this research include: 1. Discussing the capabilities of instruments and verification cruises on target. 2. Discussing the salvage activity we conducted off Kaohsiung harbor on a depleted anchor. 3. Estimating the practicability of the methodology. According to the characteristics of these apparatus, the water depth, collected by echo sounder, is capable of expressing the relief of the seabed. Seabed sonographs, recorded by side-scan sonar, show that it is feasible to detect, verify and locate targets on the seabed. Sub-bottom profiler provides the sub-surface sedimentary information which can be used to detect buried targets. Magnetometer can detect environmental magnetic intensities, which can locate and determine the size of ferrous targets. Two depleted anchors were recorded off Kaohsiung harbor on the navigation chart. A recovery plan was then arranged which included 4 phases: collection of anchor characteristics, initial field survey and target detection, target verification and locating, target recovery. The underwater searching equipment employed in this activity include: side-scan sonar, sub-bottom profiler, magnetometer, echo sounder, underwater positioning system (include GPS), remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and professional divers. The offshore working platform used in this activity was R/V Ocean Research#3. Results of the initial search phase by side-scan sonar indicated there was only one potential target in the searching area. Follow up verification cruises confirmed acoustically that the target was an anchor with a piece of chain clogged on a block. The results of this investigation included the information such as the dimensions and the location of the anchor. Furthermore, the reason which caused the anchor being abandoned on the seafloor was derived. For underwater ferrous targets, such as anchor and chain cable, all of the aforementioned apparatus, have good potential for their detection and verification. It can be concluded that, applying these apparatus simultaneously can more effectively conduct searching, detecting, identifying and locating underwater stationary targets than by the application of a single instrument such as side-scan sonar system. Optical verifications of this target by ROV were attempted, nevertheless, were not success due to the difficulties in maneuvering OR#3 into proper position. An attempt to recovery this target by divers was arranged. But due to bad weather and rough sea state, the divers were not even allowed to dive. However, according to the experiences collected, a target reacquisition and recovery facility was built to fulfill the necessity of guiding divers to the target and lift it.

In recent years, ocean has become a place to dispose of industrial and civil waste waters. Hence, there are more and more projects to establish offshore outflow pipes. These underwater pipes should be kept monitored in order to maintain their functions specifically. The purpose of this research was to explore the two outflow pipes in Kaohsiung offshore area, i.e., Chung-chou outflow pipe and Tso-ying outflow pipe, by using an integrated surveying system which includes a side-scan sonar and a sub-bottom profiler. The ultimate objective was to investigate the feasibility of this system in searching and positioning of buried underwater pipelines. Based on this investigation, the offshore section of Chung-chou outflow pipe is about 2.8km in length and extends offshore to the direction of 38o from the west to the south. The water depth at the end of this pipe is about 21m. Among the 2.24km section initiated at the offshore end of the pipe, the buried depths are between 2.2m and 3.2m. There are two disposed gravel zones around the offshore end of the pipe. The first zone is about 130m in length and 10m wide. The second zone is 220m in length and 20m wide. Moreover, based on the side scan sonar images, there are 71 protective concrete blocks located around Chung-chou outflow pipe. The offshore section of Tsao-ying outflow pipe is about 4.76 km in length and extends to the direction of 20o from the west to the south. The water depth at the end of this pipe is about 17m. Among the 3.7km section initiated at the offshore end of the pipe, the buried depths are about 1.0 to 2.5m. A disposed gravel zone with dimensions of 330m in length and 10m wide is located at the end of this pipe. In addition, there are 43 protective blocks located around this outflow pipe. This investigation, incorporated the results conducted on the other three underwater outflow pipes(i.e., Chishui creek outflow pipe, Chinese Petroleum Corporation underwater petroleum pipe off Kaohsiung Harbor and Liuchiuyu water transport pipe), concluded that as far as the buried underwater pipes that are thicker than 1m in diameter are concerned, the integrated system of side scan sonar and sub-bottom profiler provides an useful and trustful tool to get the locations and the buried depth of outflow pipes, as well as the distribution of the protective concrete blocks around these pipes. As to the pipes that are less than 20cm in diameter, the pipes can¡¦t be detected by this equipment. For the pipes that are between 20cm and 1m in diameter, due to limited information collected up to this moment, extensive investigation need to be conducted until a clear understanding can be deduced.

Thesis advisor: John E. Ebel / This research describes a method to carry out quantitative analyses of sub-seabed sediments using high-resolution chirp seismic profiles in order to estimate the properties of subsurface sediments. The method identifies significant sedimentary interfaces, extracts them from the seismic record, and measures the inelastic attenuation coefficients (k) of the sedimentary layers. The k values and their variations with increasing depth of sediments are indicative of the amount of compaction of the sediment. The k values are correlated with borehole lithology to provide a relationship between k measurements and local borehole lithology. Once determined for an area, the correlation can be applied to other seismic records from the area to analyze sedimentary properties even if no borehole lithology is locally available. / Thesis (MS) — Boston College, 2016. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Earth and Environmental Sciences.

The so-called "Marine Testing Field (MTF)" is a concept to set up a natural site so that a laboratory experiment may be implemented directly at sea. In viewing the geographical advantage of National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU), an MTF has been proposed near the Shziwan bay area, which is particularly suitable to conduct research on near shore processes and harbor monitoring and protection. The purpose of this study is implemented the first phase towards the establishment of Shziwan MTF, that is, to conduct a complete survey of this area, including topological, morphological, geological, and dynamical properties of this area. The survey employs various equipment including sidescan sonar, subbpttom profiler, multibeam system, and seabed sampling, etc. To achieve a good quality, the survey routes were carefully planned, and 10 seabed samples were taken. The results have shown that the slope of the seafloor is about 145:1, indicating that the area has a very slow varying topography. Sidescan images have been carefully analyzed, and several objects on the seabed have been identified; furthermore, the subbottom images have shown layering structure in this area. The seabed sampling shows that the seabed is mostly consisted of fine sand with average particle size of about 0.263 mm. Overall, the field already explored shows that it is about 4116725m2 in area, in which 88.1% is sand, 7.2% sand with ripple marks, and 4.7% rocks.

The application of underwater search and identification technology has been widely used in the underwater engineering. There are two major fields in this thesis: monitoring of underwater structures and analysis of upper-layer geological properties of seabed. The former focus on the cooperation of these three major equipments: sidescan sonar, sub-bottom profiler, and marine magnetometer to improve the ability of identification. The latter analyzes the image displayed by the sub-bottom profiler to set up the data base of different environments and equipments. Finally, it is illustrated that the difference between the actual position and the data position exists in equipment with a tow fish style to refine the search technology and predict the real position. This thesis will demonstrate the monitoring of underwater structures, analysis of upper-layer geological properties of seabed, and the position error of underwater targets to discuss and improve the capability of the underwater search and identification technology.

Marine geological surveys in Asköfjärden in the southern Stockholm Archipelago hasrevealed step like features in the sediments on the Baltic sea floor. The aim of this project is toanalyse the steps and possible formation processes from the survey data. The data used aretaken from the acoustic instruments multibeam echosunder and Chirp sonar sediment profiler.The multibeam reveal the seafloor topography and can detect water column features. TheChirp sonar produce sub-bottom profiles showing the sediments down to some tens of metersunderneath the sea floor. The multibeam data show multiple crescent shaped steps as well aselliptically shaped “pockmarks”. Water column data show what could be interpreted as seepsfrom the sea floor under these features. The sub bottom profile show deformation and fluidsignatures under the steps. Gas signatures and what could be other fluids are present. Theinterpretation concludes that the formation could be from either gas or groundwater seeps. Nodefinitive conclusions can be made from the data available for the present study, andapetrophysical or geochemical study of the study area cold provide further understanding ofthe formation of the steps.

Sedimentary processes are critical geological phenomena in the evolution of continental margins. Environmental forces from various temporal and spatial scales control these processes. Due to the fast increase of anthropogenic activities in marine environments, these studies on sedimentary processes and their products are becoming increasingly necessary. In this context, geophysical data, such as high-resolution 2D seismic reflection profiles, are efficient tools to characterize sedimentary processes and deposits. This study aimed to map and interpret different types of echo character on the continental shelf of the São Paulo Bight to increase the knowledge of the spatial variability of sedimentary processes in current-dominated shelf settings. With this aim, 120 seismic lines, almost 3200 km in length, have been analyzed in conjunction with 451 surficial sediment samples. Based on the broad-scale seafloor morphology, microtopography and seismic characteristics (e.g., sharpness, amplitude, continuity) of sub-bottom reflections, seven echo types distributed in three echo classes were identified in the study area. Type 1-1 is a flat seafloor with either no or low-amplitude sub-bottom reflectors, mainly observed in the middle shelf; type 1-2 is a flat sea floor with medium to high-amplitude sub-bottom reflectors also found in middle shelf settings; type 1-3 is defined by a transparent acoustic response below the seafloor evolving downsection into a highly reflective pattern that covers most of the inner shelf; type 1-4 presents a flat seafloor molded by regularly spaced undulations, and it is restricted to the outer shelf; type 2-1 consists of mounds with no internal reflectors also located on the outer shelf; type 3-1 is an irregular echo with prolonged internal reflectors found around the São Sebastião Island; finally, type 3-2 is a broad irregular echo with high relief variations mainly found in the outer shelf. The analysis of the seismic survey allowed recognizing that the distribution of the echoes reflects not only the composition of the seabed but also the sedimentary processes that acted during the deposition of the material. In the inner shelf and middle shelves, the Brazilian Coastal Current and the action of waves are the main processes responsible for the echo types found, while the outer shelf echo types are strongly influenced by the Brazil Current. / Processos sedimentares são fenômenos importantes na evolução das margens continentais. Esses processos são controlados por forçantes de várias escalas espaciais e temporais. Devido ao rápido crescimento das atividades antropogênicas em ambientes marinhos, estudos sobre processos sedimentares e seus produtos tem se tornado cada vez mais necessários. Nesse contexto, dados geofísicos, como perfis de sísmica de reflexão de alta resolução, são ferramentas importantes na caracterização desses processos e depósitos. O objetivo do estudo foi mapear e interpretar os tipos de caráter de eco na plataforma continental do estado de São Paulo visando aumentar o conhecimento a respeito da variabilidade espacial dos processos sedimentares em plataformas dominadas por correntes. Para alcançar esse objetivo 120 linhas sísmicas totalizando quase 3200 km em extensão foram analisadas em conjunto com 451 amostras sedimentares. Baseados na morfologia de macro e microescala e características sísmicas do sinal acústico de fundo como nitidez, amplitude e continuidade dos refletores, foram identificados 7 tipos de caráter de eco distribuídos em 3 classes (fundo plano, monticular ou irregular). O tipo 1-1 apresenta fundo plano com refletores de sub fundo ausentes ou de baixa amplitude localizado principalmente na plataforma média; o tipo 1-2 refere-se a um fundo plano com refletores internos com amplitudes médias a altas também presente na plataforma média; o tipo 1-3 é definido por uma camada superficial transparente que é substituída em profundidade por uma camada altamente refletiva que cobre grande parte da plataforma interna; o eco 1-4 apresenta fundo moldado por ondulações com localização restrita na plataforma externa; o tipo 2-1 consiste em montes sem refletores internos localizado próximo a quebra da plataforma; o tipo 3-1 é irregular com refletores internos prolongados e é encontrado ao sul da Ilha de São Sebastião; finalmente, o eco 3-2 é um eco irregular que apresenta grandes variações de relevo presente em grande parte da plataforma externa. A análise dos dados sísmicos permitiu o reconhecimento de que os ecos respondem não somente a composição sedimentar superficial, mas também os processos sedimentares que atuaram durante a deposição do material. Nas plataformas interna e média, a Corrente Costeira Brasileira e a ação de ondas geradas pelos ventos são os principais processos responsáveis pela geração dos ecos encontrados, enquanto na plataforma externa, os tipos de eco são fortemente influenciados pela Corrente do Brasil.

Sedimentary processes are critical geological phenomena in the evolution of continental margins. Environmental forces from various temporal and spatial scales control these processes. Due to the fast increase of anthropogenic activities in marine environments, these studies on sedimentary processes and their products are becoming increasingly necessary. In this context, geophysical data, such as high-resolution 2D seismic reflection profiles, are efficient tools to characterize sedimentary processes and deposits. This study aimed to map and interpret different types of echo character on the continental shelf of the São Paulo Bight to increase the knowledge of the spatial variability of sedimentary processes in current-dominated shelf settings. With this aim, 120 seismic lines, almost 3200 km in length, have been analyzed in conjunction with 451 surficial sediment samples. Based on the broad-scale seafloor morphology, microtopography and seismic characteristics (e.g., sharpness, amplitude, continuity) of sub-bottom reflections, seven echo types distributed in three echo classes were identified in the study area. Type 1-1 is a flat seafloor with either no or low-amplitude sub-bottom reflectors, mainly observed in the middle shelf; type 1-2 is a flat sea floor with medium to high-amplitude sub-bottom reflectors also found in middle shelf settings; type 1-3 is defined by a transparent acoustic response below the seafloor evolving downsection into a highly reflective pattern that covers most of the inner shelf; type 1-4 presents a flat seafloor molded by regularly spaced undulations, and it is restricted to the outer shelf; type 2-1 consists of mounds with no internal reflectors also located on the outer shelf; type 3-1 is an irregular echo with prolonged internal reflectors found around the São Sebastião Island; finally, type 3-2 is a broad irregular echo with high relief variations mainly found in the outer shelf. The analysis of the seismic survey allowed recognizing that the distribution of the echoes reflects not only the composition of the seabed but also the sedimentary processes that acted during the deposition of the material. In the inner shelf and middle shelves, the Brazilian Coastal Current and the action of waves are the main processes responsible for the echo types found, while the outer shelf echo types are strongly influenced by the Brazil Current. / Processos sedimentares são fenômenos importantes na evolução das margens continentais. Esses processos são controlados por forçantes de várias escalas espaciais e temporais. Devido ao rápido crescimento das atividades antropogênicas em ambientes marinhos, estudos sobre processos sedimentares e seus produtos tem se tornado cada vez mais necessários. Nesse contexto, dados geofísicos, como perfis de sísmica de reflexão de alta resolução, são ferramentas importantes na caracterização desses processos e depósitos. O objetivo do estudo foi mapear e interpretar os tipos de caráter de eco na plataforma continental do estado de São Paulo visando aumentar o conhecimento a respeito da variabilidade espacial dos processos sedimentares em plataformas dominadas por correntes. Para alcançar esse objetivo 120 linhas sísmicas totalizando quase 3200 km em extensão foram analisadas em conjunto com 451 amostras sedimentares. Baseados na morfologia de macro e microescala e características sísmicas do sinal acústico de fundo como nitidez, amplitude e continuidade dos refletores, foram identificados 7 tipos de caráter de eco distribuídos em 3 classes (fundo plano, monticular ou irregular). O tipo 1-1 apresenta fundo plano com refletores de sub fundo ausentes ou de baixa amplitude localizado principalmente na plataforma média; o tipo 1-2 refere-se a um fundo plano com refletores internos com amplitudes médias a altas também presente na plataforma média; o tipo 1-3 é definido por uma camada superficial transparente que é substituída em profundidade por uma camada altamente refletiva que cobre grande parte da plataforma interna; o eco 1-4 apresenta fundo moldado por ondulações com localização restrita na plataforma externa; o tipo 2-1 consiste em montes sem refletores internos localizado próximo a quebra da plataforma; o tipo 3-1 é irregular com refletores internos prolongados e é encontrado ao sul da Ilha de São Sebastião; finalmente, o eco 3-2 é um eco irregular que apresenta grandes variações de relevo presente em grande parte da plataforma externa. A análise dos dados sísmicos permitiu o reconhecimento de que os ecos respondem não somente a composição sedimentar superficial, mas também os processos sedimentares que atuaram durante a deposição do material. Nas plataformas interna e média, a Corrente Costeira Brasileira e a ação de ondas geradas pelos ventos são os principais processos responsáveis pela geração dos ecos encontrados, enquanto na plataforma externa, os tipos de eco são fortemente influenciados pela Corrente do Brasil.