|
Standard & Multi-Frequency Echo Sounders
Standard and Multi-Frequency Echo Sounders, also called Multi-Beam SONAR,
allow scientists to estimate the size of plankton and fish populations. Echo
sounders may also be used for species identification. This acoustic
technology increases the success of imaging animals underwater as fish
species respond differently to different sound frequencies, and produce
different acoustic signals.
 |
| The towed body housing the echo sounder used for the observation of fish and plankton, even at great depths. (Mid-Atlantic Ridge Ecosystems - MAR-ECO) |
 |
| A diagram demonstrating the greatly increased coverage effectiveness of multi beam (right) versus single beam (left) echo sounding. (NOAA Ocean
Explorer) |
 |
| A depiction of the SONAR multibeam. (Dive Discover, Wood's Hole Oceanographic Institute) |
 |
| Actual output data of animal movements in the water column; collected using an echo sounder. (See full-size image -- 107K) |
Click on the links below to see what Census projects use this technology:
|
