Progress Report

CICEET Progress Report for the period 9/01/01 through 3/01/02 (Report 1 of 2)

Project Title: Assessment and monitoring of estuarine habitat diversity: developing the tools to protect and restore estuarine habitats
Principal Investigator(s): Roger D. Flood, Kenneth W. Able

Accomplishments
Scheduled Tasks:
The primary goal for this work period was to collect, process and display Year 2 multibeam data in the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve in New Jersey (Flood). Our efforts included one area that had been studied in 2001 (the region surrounding the primary Tuckerton Marsh) as well as several new sites where information is available on habitat. Selected portions of these areas were the focus of in situ observations in order to ground-truth the multibeam images (Able).

Progress on Tasks
New shallow-water multibeam data was collected from the main channel by the Rutgers University Marine Field Station, where we had noted extensive sand wave fields, submerged ledges and apparent slumping on the flank of the marsh, and in five smaller areas where long-term benthic monitoring studies have been undertaken (Graveling Point, Motts Creek, Buoy 139, Foxboro Point and Tuckerton Creek). Initial results from near the Rutgers University Field Station show that several prominent features have changed significantly over the last year. It is expected that features such as sand waves will move with time, but we also noted movement of other features, including the apparent retreat of an exposed underwater scarp and the apparent movement of slumped materials along the edge of the steep marsh banks. The transducer of the multibeam system was tilted by 40 degrees (emulating half of a dual-head EM 3000 system) to increase the swath width and to allow us to image near-vertical channel walls and the edges of the banks. Tipping the head worked well in very shallow water (ca. 5 m or less) as coverage improved over the downward-pointing beam. However, in deeper water the water depths, especially at the outer edges of the beams, are more susceptible to vertical and horizontal variations in sound velocity profiles because of the tipped head.

We have conducted two activities since the last report that enhance our ability to interpret the multibeam images. We compared two underwater cameras, while attached to the same beam trawl as it was towed over the same habitats. As a result, it appears that the Deep Sea Power and Light camera that we have been using provides the best in situ images for our purposes.

In addition, we reexamined the area in the vicinity of Hog Islands (Mullica River) during November 2001. This served two purposes. First, it allowed us to compare our ability to gather images in the winter, when the water is typically clearer, with the summer when it is usually more turbid. The most recent images were very clear and points out the advantages of conducting video groundtruthing at this time of the year. Second, these images suggested that the "sand waves," as interpreted with the multibeam, may actually be large accumulations of detritus that are distributed in windrows on the bottom. This once again demonstrates the need to groundtruth video images. Also, these accumulations appeared to be quite thick. These potentially dynamic distributions of this much organic material needs further attention.

Difficulties Encountered
No new concerns or difficulties materialized for the mapping portion of the project.

Anticipated Success in Meeting Project Objectives in Scheduled Project Period
We met the project objectives of mapping in the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve during summer/fall 2001.

Preliminary Results
Preliminary bathymetry and backscatter data are available from the August 2001 cruise. Refined products were given to Able to help groundtruthing.

Tasks and activities for next reporting period

Tasks for the next reporting period
We are beginning to interpret the newly collected multibeam data in terms of sediment distribution patterns, sedimentation processes and temporal change. We are also collecting other data available for the region, especially earlier bathymetric surveys and air photographs. As ground-truth data on benthic habitat becomes available, this data will be integrated into our analysis.

Work plan to accomplish tasks
Final processing steps of the multibeam data include careful editing of bathymetric and backscatter data and integration with appropriate tidal data. We are seeking to acquire available air photos and existing sediment sample data.

Concerns or difficulties
No difficulties are anticipated in accomplishing these tasks.

Expenditures
Budget expenditures for this period are primarily for field work and data analysis. Expenditures are as anticipated.

CICEET Progress Report for the period 08/01/01 through 01/31/02

Project Title: Assessment and monitoring of estuarine habitat diversity: developing the tools to protect and restore estuarine habitats (Report 2 of 2)
Principal Investigator(s): Daniel R. Hanes, Stephen W. Ross

Accomplishments
Scheduled Tasks:

  1. Complete device driver programming
  2. Complete application software development for field trials
  3. Conduct field trials
  4. Implement design / software modifications resulting from field trial feedback
  5. Fabricate and deliver three systems for NERR incorporating design improvements

Progress on Tasks

  • Tasks 1, 2 and 3 have been completed. Some of the device driver programming will need to be redone in the next reporting period because of a change in hardware (see section C).
  • Task 4 is underway. Modifications to the software will be ongoing as additional testing is conducted and operational experience is gained.
  • Task 5 is underway. Procurement of the mechanical assemblies and sensors for the deliverable systems has started; procurement of the electronic assemblies has been delayed pending some design modifications (see section C). Electronics procurement is expected to be complete by the end of March, 2002.

Difficulties Encountered

  • One of the hardware interface components (a communications IC) was difficult to support with the appropriate operating system software (device drivers). An alternate device was chosen and has been designed in to the system. The work impact is that an additional design/fabrication was required for the electronics (completed), and new device driver software will need to be integrated into the operating system (underway).
  • Power consumption was slightly higher than anticipated when the equipment was in a specific operating mode. The issue has been corrected with a component (relay) change. This required a redesign of one of the circuit boards (completed).
  • Integration of the LCD display device driver (software) has proven more difficult than anticipated, but is currently proceeding at a satisfactory pace.

Anticipated Success in Meeting Project Objectives in Scheduled Project Period
Anticipated Success in Meeting Project Objectives in Scheduled Project Period We anticipate delivery of the final hardware and software, final field trials and project closeout to be complete by July 2002.

Preliminary Results
Preliminary field trials were carried out in September / October, 2001. The trials were conducted at Rookery Bay, FL and Masonboro Sound, NC, and consisted of logging water quality and bathymetry data for subsequent GIS processing. The data were plotted by NCNERR and presented at a poster session at the ERF meeting in Tampa, FL in October 2001. The data were of good quality and informal response to the poster indicated that the potential utility of the system is high.

Tasks and activities for next reporting period

Tasks for the next reporting period

  • Complete hardware procurement for three delivery systems.
  • Complete application software development.
  • Complete system documentation.
  • Fabricate and deliver three systems for reserves.
  • Conduct final field trials.
  • Prepare and submit final report.

Work plan to accomplish tasks

  • Mechanical components for deliverable systems are on order
  • Electronic and software design tasks are scheduled and in process
  • Final trials are scheduled to start at Masonboro in late April.

Concerns or difficulties
The bulk of the design effort is complete, and hence the level of uncertainty in the remaining tasks is low. No significant concerns remain.

Expenditures
Expenditures have commensurate with project progress to date.