Evaluation of Underwater Hyperspectral Imagery (UHI) for MAREANO

Abstract

As part of a method development initiative in the MAREANO seabed mapping programme (www.mareano.no) a pilot survey using Underwater Hyperspectral lmagery (UHI) was undertaken in Trondheimsfjorden during December 2014. Ecotone AS provided all technology and services related to the acquisition and processing of UHI data, while the Applied Underwater Robotics Lab (AUR-Lab), part of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), provided the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and associated technical support for UHI mapping which was conducted from the NTNU research vessel 'Gunnerus'. MAREANO scientists from the Geological Survey of Norway (NGU) and the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) participated in the cruise with a view to evaluating the potential of UHI for geological and biological mapping respectively. Processing of data and presentation of results was undertaken by Ecotone AS during 2015 and provide the basis for evaluation by MAREANO. The fieldwork, results and evaluation of relevance of UHI technology for MAREANO are summarised in this report.