Seabed Features Research Articles

Reflected acoustic energy from geological layers during seismic reflection surveys.

Acoustic propagation is significantly impacted by seabed characteristics, which play a large role in propagation modeling. Shallow seabed characteristics comprise a notable area of research due to their impacts on bottom loss, but deep seabed characteristics are often ignored. At low frequencies (several hundred Hertz, particularly below 100 Hz) and at ranges less than that corresponding to the seafloor critical angle, these deep layer characteristics have non-negligible effects. Those effects are explored here using a subset of data from a marine seismic reflection survey, MGL2104, in an environment with a nearly constant ∼2.6 km bathymetry. The source is a 5700 in.3 airgun array and reflections are measured by a 1200 channel, ∼15 km streamer, with both arrays at 12 m depth. The results show that in one-third-octave bands below 100 Hz, a significant fraction of the reflected energy (sometimes >50%) at certain ranges in the water column is attributable to sub-seabed layers, and the seafloor reflections only become the dominant source at ranges where the reflection path approaches a critical angle. The analysis also considers the effects of layer depths on reflected energy, demonstrating that increased depth does not necessarily correlate with decreased energy reflected in the water column.

Seabed Sediment Classification using Multifrequency Backscatter

Seabed sediment serves as an important metric for assessing marine ecosystems. Different sectors, including the development and utilization of marine resources, marine engineering, environmental research, marine fisheries, and maritime navigation safety, all depend on the classification and identification of different forms of seabed sediment. Hydrographic surveys employing Multibeam Echosounders provide information that can be used to categorize the types of seabed sediment. The data acquired during the hydrographic surveys using Multibeam Echosounders include bathymetric data and backscatter data. The backscatter data is obtained from the use of Multibeam Echosounder equipment for bathymetric data acquisition. The backscatter data from Multibeam Echosounders can be utilized for determining the classification of seabed sediment as well as for identifying seabed features. This backscatter data represents the types of sediment on the seafloor and can be used for seafloor profiling and acoustic backscatter analysis to determine the several kinds of seafloor sediment. This study uses multi-frequency mosaic backscatter data and an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach to classify the different types of seabed sediment in the area of Benoa Port in Bali Province. The research aims to produce a distribution map of sediment types in the study area. A training accuracy of 55% and a testing accuracy of 66% were obtained from the DNN modelling. Three out of six sediment types were identified based on these accuracy results: silty sand, gravelly sand, and sandy silt with gravel corals. According to their distribution, gravely sand had the smallest distribution (5%), while silty sand had the biggest (77%).

The geomorphology of Ireland’s continental shelf

ABSTRACT The Irish Shelf Seabed Geomorphological Map (ISSGM) (v2023) presented here, is the first high-resolution geomorphological map of the entire Irish continental shelf. This large-scale mapping exercise took advantage of the vast INFOMAR multibeam echosounder dataset, and used a protocol of semi-automated mapping techniques to accurately and rapidly extract seabed features. All previous mapping efforts and existing literature on the Irish shallow shelf geomorphology have also been collated and integrated in the map, critically evaluating the previous interpretations. An internationally standardised classification scheme was adopted, aligning the ISSGM (v2023) to other international geomorphological work. At a national level, this detailed geomorphological digital map is intended primarily as a resource to better inform multiple offshore activities and management of the marine environment. The map also acts as a baseline for future studies in marine geomorphology, as it identifies gaps in the knowledge and highlights areas of contentious interpretation that require further work. The map is available online on the Irish Marine Atlas (https://atlas.marine.ie – Geology Theme).

Classification of seabed landforms on continental and island shelves

The increasing availability and quality of high-resolution bathymetry data has led to a growing need for automated classification approaches to extract seabed features and better understand our ever-changing and complex seascapes. Here we present a new set of GIS tools designed to classify seabed landforms on continental and island shelf settings. The classification approach utilises bathymetry data and its derivatives of slope, ruggedness and bathymetric position index to delineate key components of the seabed surface. The user is guided through a series of steps to break down the seabed surface into components termed ‘surface elements’ (e.g. smooth, rugose, slope areas), which are subsequently grouped into prominent seabed features termed ‘seabed landforms’ (e.g. reefs, channels, scarps). Manual review and editing are incorporated into the workflow, striking a balance between automation and expert manual interpretation. We present the toolset using examples from the statewide marine lidar dataset from New South Wales, Australia, and explore tool settings using bathymetric data representing different data sources (multibeam and marine lidar), environmental seascapes, data resolutions (2, 5, 10 and 20 m cell size) and data preparation treatments (with and without data smoothing). The GIS toolset presented offers an effective and flexible method to extract key features from high-resolution shelf bathymetry data. Such mapping provides fundamental baseline data for vast applications within marine planning, research and management.

Acoustic energy reflections from deep seabed layers in seismic reflection surveys

Data from marine seismic reflection surveys are generally used to study the composition of the seabed 100s to 1000s of meters below the seafloor. These surveys consist of an airgun array that broadcasts an impulsive signal towards the seafloor, the reflections of which are measured by towed hydrophone streamers and used to invert for geophysical properties. The abundance of data from these surveys provides many opportunities to conduct acoustic analyses and to utilize data-driven approaches. Here, the extensive datasets are used for analyzing the impacts of seabed characteristics on the acoustic fields in the water column. Various seabed components are considered and their influence on the acoustic field quantified. It is shown that layers well below the seafloor can contribute up to 50% of the acoustic energy reflected into the water column at frequencies below 100 Hz and ranges approximately three times the channel depth. Additionally, non-intuitive relationships between layer depths and acoustic energy are explored. [Work supported by ONR.]

Influence of groundwater level on the first natural frequency of monopile

The variation of groundwater level caused by tides is a unique feature of intertidal wind turbines (IWTs). The groundwater level affects the natural frequency of the IWTs' monopile by changing the seabed characteristics. Therefore, it is necessary to reveal the influence of groundwater level on the natural frequency of monopile to ensure the stable operation and maintenance of IWTs. Based on model experiments, the laws of the change in groundwater level and the number of groundwater level cycles on the first natural frequency of the monopile in fine sand foundation is revealed, and is explained according to the stiffness and damping characteristics of the fine sand foundation. Moreover, the stiffness and damping characteristics of the fine sand foundation have different effects on the first natural frequency under different variation states of groundwater level: The stiffness of sand foundation is the main factor affecting the first natural frequency; with the groundwater level rising, the influence of the damping of sand foundation on the first natural frequency is getting stronger. In the designing and maintenance of IWTs, the seabed groundwater level should be focused on.

Offshore Wind Turbine Monopile Foundation Systems in Multilayered Soil Strata under Aerodynamic and Hydrodynamic Loads: State-of-the-Art Review

Due to the large demand to produce clean and renewable energy, offshore wind farms are extensively being used to help with economic development. Offshore Wind Turbine (OWT) structures are usually supported by various types of foundations and its selection depends on several factors such as water depth, economic costs, construction methodologies, seabed bathymetry, soil characteristics, and load characteristics. The present State-of-the-Art review focuses on OWT-monopile foundation systems embedded in multi-layered soil strata subjected to aerodynamic and hydrodynamic loading conditions. The purpose of this study is to carry out a comprehensive review on the performance of OWT-monopile foundation structures to support the design and drafting choices and thereby provide an understanding to reduce the costs. Two specific subject areas are addressed in this paper: (1) Factors affecting the performance of OWT-Monopile Foundation Systems; and (2) Experimental modeling and numerical analyses of OWT-Monopile Foundation Systems. The immediate challenge to the design of OWTs is to analyze the dynamic response of the foundation structure when exposed to both aerodynamic and hydrodynamic loads acting simultaneously. The limitations of the existing guidelines point to the need for improved design methods to obtain an economical design of OWT-monopile foundations. The use of Finite Element (FE) models is effective in studying the functioning of OWT-monopile structures. The present study suggests the development of further numerical models and modifications to the existing ones to properly assess soil-monopile interactions. This study also suggests further investigations on the design and analysis of OWT-monopile foundations considering the effect of (i) aerodynamic and hydrodynamic loading conditions with soil-monopile interactions, and (ii) multi-layered seabed characteristics.

ACOUSTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SIDESCAN SONAR ALONG PROPOSED POWER CABLE ROUTE, DUMAI – RUPAT ISLAND

Cable power installation along the route with bedforms-sediment structures sometimes potentially to have problems in the future or near future. In order to mitigate the cable from exposure because of currents, it is important to know a detailed understanding of the seabed and its mobility. Seabed characteristics, either textures or sediment structures, could be interpreted from acoustic characters, one of which is based on sidescan sonar images. An automatic interpretation to classify seabed characteristics can be done by using an image processing software. Image processing has been done on sidescan sonar images along power cable route between Dumai and Rupat Island. The image processing was using simple textures and Grey-Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GCLM) textures. Manual interpretation of sidescan sonar images classifies the acoustic characters into six; (1) fine sand waves with ripple marks, wave length 2.5-4 meters, (2) fine sands, (3) fine sand waves with ripple marks, wave length 5-9 meters, (4) fine sand with ripple-mega ripples, (5) coarse sands with ripple-trawl marks, and (6) very fine sands. The results of automatic classification show that image processing with simple textures is unable to identify the textures and structures of sediments properly, but by combining simple texture classification and GCLM types of sediment textures and sediment structures are better identified. This classification results are in agreement with the results of manual interpretation of sidescan sonar images.

Environmental Observations at the First Offshore Solar Farm in the North Sea

Offshore solar emergence is driven by a lack of available land and the immense decarbonisation targets. It is a promising area of solar photovoltaic application, with multiple benefits when co-located with offshore wind, and with almost unlimited potential for nations living close to the sea. Research to understand the environmental implications of offshore solar must be carried out in parallel with the realization of the first pilot demonstrations. Such pilots provide important opportunities to learn to collect field data that can be used to verify untested assumptions about possible negative and positive impacts on the marine ecosystem and serve as input data for models that can forecast the effects of much larger-scale offshore solar. This paper reports on (1) the monitoring methods and first results of water quality parameters collected underneath a small (50 kWp and 400 m2) floating solar farm and at a reference location in the open sea; (2) observations of birds on top of the floating solar platforms and (3) biogeochemistry characteristics of the seabed around the solar farm. Both the water quality and the seabed characteristics studied here did not show a clear trend or deviation from normal conditions. The observations of birds on the floating platform were first-of-its-kind; no comparison is made to other floating infrastructure or other locations. Useful insights were gathered with respect to monitoring approaches around floating solar structures in high wave conditions.

Effective stress analysis of residual wave-induced liquefaction around caisson-foundations: Bearing capacity degradation and an AI-based framework for predicting settlement

Excessive wave-induced pore pressure buildup around offshore foundations results in liquefaction, settlement and bearing capacity degradation, which may threaten the safety of Offshore Wind Turbines (OWTs). Despite the extensive research efforts on wave-induced seabed residual response in the recent years, there is still a lack of knowledge on mechanisms of wave-induced liquefaction and settlement around caisson foundations. Employing a code-based framework implemented in OpenSees, the cyclic response of wave-seabed-foundation (WSF) system is evaluated. Biot’s consolidation theory, linear wave theory and CycLiqCPSP constitutive soil model are integrated to evaluate the response of soil-foundation system accounting for the hydrodynamic pressure of wave imposed on the seabed surface considering the fully-coupled wave-seabed-foundation interaction (WSFI). Soil model parameters are calibrated against cyclic simple shear (CSS) tests and the numerical model is validated by a well-documented centrifuge experimental model. Various seabed characteristics, and a range of the geometrical properties of foundation with different OWT weights are put into practice for evaluating the geotechnical aspects of wave-induced liquefaction. Stress paths are provided to demonstrate quite different level of reduction in effective stresses and likelihood of liquefaction occurrence upon cyclic shear stresses application for different locations in the vicinity of the foundation area. The present study will also improve understanding of the interplay among the state variables on the wave-induced foundation settlement and bearing capacity degradation allow to feed the output data into development of simplified procedure for assessing the bearing capacity. Finally, results from over 250 analyses with different model configurations are used to provide an estimate of wave-induced caisson settlement with reasonable accuracy on the basis of artificial intelligence (AI) method known as Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH).

Impacts of seabed characteristics on short-range acoustic propagation in seismic surveys

An abundance of marine seismic reflection surveys with publicly available datasets have been collected over the last several decades to study the composition of the seabed up to multiple kilometers below the sea floor. In these surveys, a loud impulsive airgun source broadcasts sound into the seabed and the reflections from the seafloor and seabed layers are measured on a long (up to ∼15 km) towed hydrophone array. In these surveys, both the shallow seabed layers (several hundred meters below the seafloor) and deeper layers (multiple kilometers below the seafloor) can significantly impact the acoustic field in the water column at close ranges. Experimental data have shown instances of sound exposure levels (SEL) at ranges between ∼8 and 15 km that exceeded levels predicted by cylindrical spreading models by nearly 15 dB. This work aims to use the abundance of seismic data available to explore the relationship between seabed and sub-seabed characteristics and the acoustic field in the water column. Inversion results that provide seabed sound speed profiles and reflection characteristics will be used to understand the seabed characteristics and its potential effects on SELs or sound pressure levels evaluated along the towed array. [Work supported by ONR.]

CAGE16-5 Cruise Report: ROV-based Geological and Biological Investigations of Methane Seeps at Prins Karls Forland, Storfjordrenna Pingos and Bjørnøyrenna Craters

The cruise was an activity in of the Centre of Excellence for Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate (CAGE) at UiT – The Arctic University of Norway. The overall aim of the cruise was to utilize the NTNU/AMOS SK30k ROV for seafloor mapping and targeted sample collection at selected CAGE sites, focusing on methane seepage areas west and south of Svalbard. More specific objectives of the cruise were to: Use an ROV-mounted multibeam system to acquire very high resolution (10cm) seabed bathymetry in areas of methane seepsConduct detailed visual seabed surveys for habitat mapping and photomosaicking at specific seep featuresCollect seabed samples of authigenic carbontate crusts, sediments, microbes, foraminifera and macro organisms associated with methane seeps from the ROV, and complimented with more traditional sampling methodsContinue time series investigations of water column measurements of methane concentrations, and of methane oxidizing microbes in the seawaterNet sampling for planktic forams at seeps Sampling activities were designed with a multi-disciplinary approach, with research groups from all CAGE work packages working together in the same locations to develop a holistic understanding of the geological, oceanographic and biological components at key methane seep sites. This cruise prioritized the acquisition of information for mapping seabed features and habitat characterizations (e.g. photomosaicking, visual information) combined with in-situ site sampling using ROV technologies, and complimented by our ‘traditional’ technologies (e.g. CTD, net, and coring devices). With these objectives in mind, the strategy for each of the selected locations is to first carry out visual survey work to acquire framework measurements and data to be of use for all groups within CAGE, followed by a consolidated sampling plan to satisfy the needs of individual researchers for sample material The cruise may be known as: CAGE16_5

Inversion of shallow seabed structure and geoacoustic parameters with waveguide characteristic impedance based on Bayesian approach

Underwater acoustic technology is essential for ocean observation, exploration and exploitation, and its development is based on an accurate predication of underwater acoustic wave propagation. In shallow sea environments, the geoacoustic parameters, such as the seabed structure, the sound speeds, the densities, and the sound speed attenuations in seabed layers, would significantly affect the acoustic wave propagation characteristics. To obtain more accurate inversion results for these parameters, this study presents an inversion method using the waveguide characteristic impedance based on the Bayesian approach. In the inversion, the vertical waveguide characteristic impedance, which is the ratio of the pressure over the vertical particle velocity, is set as the matching object. The nonlinear Bayesian theory is used to invert the above geoacoustic parameters and analysis the uncertainty of the inversion results. The numerical studies and the sea experiment processing haven shown the validity of this inversion method. The numerical studies also proved that the vertical waveguide characteristic impedance is more sensitive to the geoacoustic parameters than that of single acoustic pressure or single vertical particle velocity, and the error of simulation inversion is within 3%. The sea experiment processing showed that the seabed layered structure and geoacoustic parameters can be accurately determined by this method. The root mean square between the vertical waveguide characteristic impedance and the measured impedance is 0.38dB, and the inversion results accurately represent the seabed characteristics in the experimental sea area.

Lifting back the waters: Marine geophysics provides new insights into the uThukela Banks Marine Protected Area

Using the first high-resolution geophysical data set collected from the uThukela Banks Marine Protected Area (MPA), we reveal a plethora of hitherto unknown or poorly resolved seabed features. In tandem with several remotely operated vehicle dives, we improve on the previous National Biodiversity Assessment map for the area and reveal a more complex picture of the seabed geology and geomorphology on which the MPA is predicated. The upper slope (-120 m and deeper) is dominated by small canyons, gullies and rills that occasionally extend to the shelf edge and form a series of slumps. Suspected cold-water corals were imaged on the interfluves of the Thukela Canyon. The mid to outer shelf (-60 to -100 m) is mostly rocky, and is composed of Pliocene-age siltstones for the most part. Aeolianite shorelines are found at depths of 60 m and 100 m, in which palaeo-lagoons and parabolic aeolian dune systems are also preserved. These features provide habitat for mesophotic corals and demersal fishes. Overlying and abutting hard rock substrates are unconsolidated sandy sediments that are mobilised by the inshore movement of the Agulhas Current. An inshore mud belt characterised by pockmarks associated with free gas expulsion is mapped for the first time. A well-developed palaeo-drainage pattern is also revealed, posing exciting new opportunities for the study of benthic communities associated with palaeo-estuaries and lagoons now exposed at the seabed. Several new habitats, both inside and out of the MPA boundaries, should form the basis for future research within the MPA, in addition to informing expansions of the MPA. Significance: Using a newly collected geophysical data set, we provide an unprecedented glimpse into the newly proclaimed uThukela Banks Marine Protected Area. We reveal a complexity of marine habitats hitherto unknown from previous biodiversity surveys. These habitats include areas of possible expansion given the recognition of keystone species that occur just outside the MPA limits.

Mesophotic bioclastics and bioconstructions at the continental shelf of Santos Basin, Brazil

The Santos Basin mesophotic zone comprises one area of 104,915 km2, occupying 78% of the entire basin. Santos Basin is one of the most under stress and sensitive marine regions in the Brazilian territory due to several major ports, Oil & Gas industry, and coastal marine environmental management areas. Scientific literature recognizes that rhodolith beds and biogenic rigid-bottom patches occur on the shelf, but because lack of high-resolution seismic data, these seabed features are not yet wholly mapped at Santos Basin. However, an unprecedented gathering of historical depth sounding points and surface sediment data collection, in conjunction with an extensive field campaign of seabed sampling and sub-bottom shallow seismic records, points out new evidence of biogenic sediment distribution reefal structures in the Santos Basin. The patches of calcareous algae crusts, terraces mounds, pinnacles, and free-living rhodolith beds compose the carbonate facies on the outer shelf. Rugged bottom relief and pinnacles up to 10 m in height correlate with carbonate gravels and sandy areas. Bioconstructions are more common northward and gradually decrease southward. Geomorphological features such as rugged bottom relief might indicate the occurrence of mesophotic bioconstructions off Paraná, and Santa Catarina State coast. The mesophotic bioconstructions have evolved through four stages: 1- LGM fully sposed shelf, 2- sea-level transgression and bioconstrutions pioneers, 3- influence of the La Plata plume at the southern sector, and 4- establishment of mud patches in the northern sector due to local input.

Effects of sub-seabed characteristics on acoustic transmission loss in seismic reflection surveys

Marine seismic reflection surveys are used to study the composition of the seabed and sub-seabed by recording reflections of the field generated by an airgun array from the seafloor with a towed horizontal streamer. The abundance of data within a single survey and the number of publicly available surveys provides substantial opportunity for data-driven acoustic analysis. Here, we consider data from surveys that were conducted off the coasts of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska, covering portions of the Cascadia Subduction Zone and the Queen Charlotte Fault. Throughout the experiments, data was collected at depths ranging from 200 m to 3 km, typically using a 15 km long towed streamer containing 1200 hydrophone groups with 12.5 m spacing. With these datasets, there is a breadth of opportunity for studying the impacts of various seabed features on acoustic propagation. This talk will explore the impacts of seabed and sub-seabed characteristics, bathymetry, reflectivity, etc., on acoustic transmission loss. The data from these experiments, corrected for array design impacts, will be compared directly with computational propagation models. [Work supported by ONR.]

Application of acoustic classification in different sedimentary environments: A case study of the Gaoping slope in the southwest coast of Taiwan

• Acoustic remote sensing can be used to determine different types of sedimentary seabeds using quantitative classification. • Three attributes extracted from acoustic waveforms reveal four types of sedimentary seabeds. • The proposed method differentiates sedimentary seabed types with similar grain size distribution. • Core data from the offshore area of southwestern Taiwan validates the method. • This study provides a sensitive and robust quantitative method and reduces the uncertainty of manual identification between different seabeds. The sedimentary seabed properties are direct indicators of its stability, whose measure has several important implications in understanding and forecasting geological events. This study investigates the classification of sedimentary seabed types in different depositional environments using the three attributes: reflection coefficient (RC), similarity index (SI), and amplitude ratio (AR) values extracted from sub-bottom profiling data. Four sedimentary seabed types were evaluated automatically according to the waveforms in the horizontal and vertical directions. To infer the seabed properties, the attribute SI is used to identify the occurrence of homogeneity of sediment transportation in an area, while RC and AR are used to determine the seabed characteristics in terms of the variation of acoustic energy reflected from the sediment. To validate the results of this quantitative analysis method, sixteen seafloor sediment samples collected at different sites in the offshore area of southwestern Taiwan were analyzed. The automatic classification results suggest that the different sub-bottom profiling images are associated with the grain size distributions and compositions, such as the concentrated distribution, sand, silt, and clay percentages, and the mean bulk density. In addition, an inhomogeneous environment with similar grain size distribution can be identified. The proposed seabed classification is an effective method to study seabed characteristics, especially for identifying chaotic sediments.

Experimental investigation the characteristics of three-dimensional wave field and its effect on sandy sloping seabed

The three-dimensional topography of the seabed has a significant influence on the wave field and the failure characteristics of the sloping seabed. Nevertheless, previous experimental studies were predominantly limited to two-dimensional wave conditions. In this study, a series of regular wave experiments (including a rigid-slope seabed and a sandy-slope seabed) have been done in a large-scale three-dimensional harbor basin to investigate the three-dimensional wave field in the Zhoushan sea area and the response characteristics of the sloping seabed under the wave actions, respectively. The results of the rigid-seabed tests show that the wave field has obvious three-dimensional characteristics under the influence of three-dimensional topography. During the process of propagation, wave shoaling occurs which leads to wave breaking finally. At the same time, the wave will reflect when it meets the topography, and the reflected wave will affect the wave field in turn. The pore water pressure response and three-dimensional failure modes of sandy sloping seabed under the wave actions are obtained by the sandy-seabed experiment.

The challenges and opportunities of using small drones to monitor fishing activities in a marine protected area

AbstractFishing monitoring to gather fishery dynamic data is usually land‐based or carried from onboard inspections. However, direct georeferencing of fishing activities using aerial drones is a versatile and easy option that can potentially improve fishery studies, especially in Marine Protected Areas. We investigated the utility of aerial images to understand spatial displacement and fishing territoriality in a Brazilian MPA system under risk of deregulation. Survey flights were conducted in the multiple use area where fishing is allowed in the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, located in the South Atlantic Ocean and considered one of the main ecotourism destinations and marine conservation sites in Brazil. An aircraft was used to map and detect several aspects of fishing activities and shallow seabed characteristics to demonstrate its utility for fishery management. We recorded 89 fishing activities in the marine area and 75 shore fishers on beaches. Results documented areas most intensively targeted by fishers, and operational aspects of fishing effort, both onboard and shoreline activities targeting shoals. Enforcement and monitoring efforts must be strengthened to assess the impact of expanded fishing activity in this marine sanctuary, mainly due to fading conservation rules imposed by top‐down political decisions. This aerial approach demonstrates the utility of quantifying and mapping fishing activities to assist both MPA and fisheries management aligned to benchmarks for biodiversity conservation and human‐based demands.

Multi-objective optimization of a uniformly distributed offshore wind farm considering both economic factors and visual impact

The investment profitability is the strongest economic driver when deciding the location, and optimizing the orientation and layout of a wind power plant. However, and despite of their usual good social acceptance, wind farms must overcome the displeasure of some neighbouring residents, mainly due to the natural landscape alteration. Optimization algorithms must consider the techno-economic aspect, but also the expected visual impact. Unfortunately, there is a lack of objective indicators to quantify it.Three are the main contributions of this paper. First, it introduces an innovative method of assessing the visual impact of an offshore wind farm, integrated in a optimization algorithm.Secondly, it explains a method to speed up the annual energy production, allowing the algorithm to optimize the wind farm site and layout within an unlimited space, with unlimited number of turbines, and considering seabed characteristics, depth and cable prices.Finally, it presents a multi-objective optimization algorithm based on Pareto fronts. With this, a set of optimal solutions has been obtained taking into account the conflicting relationship between profitability and visual impact. The analysis of the optimal solutions also provides the designer with valuable guidelines on the characteristics that the projected wind farm should have.