Multibeam echosounder backscatter strength analysis for seafloor sediment identification in Damar Besar Island Waters, Thousand Islands

Abstract

The condition of the Indonesian territory surrounded by the ocean requires technology to obtain seabed information to support the development of social, economic, and security activities. One of the technologies that can be used is the multibeam echosounder (MBES) hydroacoustic technology. MBES can scan seabed in a wide range, resulting in bathymetric data and backscatter values. The value of backscatter can be used to identify seafloor sediments. This study compared backscatter intensity values obtained from the MBES survey to the previous study. After identifying the sediment, the data obtained are mapped to produce a sediment distribution map. The types of sediment identified in the Damar Besar Island Waters are fine silt, medium silt, coarsed silt, silty sand, muddy sand, clayed sand, very fine sand, and fine sand with a range of backscatter values from -34,92 to -19,04 dB. Fine sand sediments are nearby the northern island while muddy sands and silty sands are scattered away from the island.