Zeitschrift für Ozeanographie und Meeresforschung
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Seafloor Characterization and Backscatter Variability of Coral Reef by Different Acoustic Techniques, El-Gouna, Red Sea, Egypt

El-Gharabawy S, El-Wahab MA, Hamouda A

Seabed sediment classification is an important research study for marine geology, marine environment and other research areas. The study area located at 25 km North of Hurghada. This study aims at identification of sea bed sediments and coral reef habitat of El-Gouna Area. Side scan sonar and QTC system used for surveying the area. Detection of the destroyed coral reef areas depends on the acoustic backscatter and diving survey along the study area. The sea floor sediment types, features and the biological habitats were the main causes that control the acoustic signature in the study area. The main seabed sediment types in the study area were hard bottom representing the coral reef patches, coarse and fine sand fractions. Overall, the acoustic approach showed consistent results for the assessment and mapping of the benthic habitats in this shallow-water area. Three different acoustic patterns were recognized: pattern of strong backscatter related to coarse sand, while Pattern of weak backscatter confined to silt and fine sand, patches of strong and weak backscatter are Patterns with isolated reflections belong to hard and soft coral reefs.