Optimum statistical gridding technique for multi beam echo sounder (MBES) data processing

Abstract

Multi Beam Echo Sounder (MBES) collects bathymetry and backscatter data simultaneously and has an advantage of wide coverage over seafloor. The multibeam data collected at sites off Chennai using Kongsberg EM1002 is corrected using PROBASI II software like heading, position, and slope. We analyzed the effect of gridding on corrected MBES data for grid cells of different sizes such as 2.5, 3.5, 4, 5 m and 7m by assigning "Mean", "Most frequent" and "Maximum" grid methods. In order to know the effect of centre beam pattern, backscatter images for all methods and grid cell sizes are generated. From the results, it is observed that the mean grid method with 5 m grid cell size is the optimum grid technique with reduced centre beam pattern. This is the first time an optimum grid technique is initiated for the analysis of MBES data collected in theBay of Bengal.