Artificial Fish Reef Site Evaluation Based on Multi-Source High-Resolution Acoustic Images
Marine geophysical and geological investigations are crucial for evaluating the construction suitability of artificial fish reefs (AFRs). Key factors such as seabed topography, geomorphology, sub-bottom structure, and sediment type significantly influence AFR design and site selection. Challenges su...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/2/309 |
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| author | Fangqi Wang Yikai Feng Senbo Liu Yilan Chen Jisheng Ding |
| author_facet | Fangqi Wang Yikai Feng Senbo Liu Yilan Chen Jisheng Ding |
| author_sort | Fangqi Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Marine geophysical and geological investigations are crucial for evaluating the construction suitability of artificial fish reefs (AFRs). Key factors such as seabed topography, geomorphology, sub-bottom structure, and sediment type significantly influence AFR design and site selection. Challenges such as material sinking, sediment instability, and scouring effects should be critically considered and addressed in the construction of AFR, particularly in areas with soft mud or dynamic environments. In this study, detailed investigations were conducted approximately seven months after the deployment of reef materials in the AFR experimental zones around Xiaoguan Island, located in the western South Yellow Sea, China. Based on morphological factors, using data from multibeam echosounders and side-scan sonar, the study area was divided into three geomorphic zones, namely, the tidal flat (TF), underwater erosion-accumulation slope (UEABS), and inclined erosion-accumulation shelf plain (IEASP) zones. The focus of this study was on the UEABS and IEASP experimental zones, where reef materials (concrete or stone blocks) were deployed seven months earlier. The comprehensive interpretation results of multi-source high-resolution acoustic images showed that the average settlement of individual reefs in the UEABS experimental zone was 0.49 m, and their surrounding seabed experienced little to no scouring. This suggested the formation of an effective range and height, making the zone suitable for AFR construction. However, in the IEASP experimental zone, the seabed sediment consisted of soft mud, causing the reef materials to sink into the seabed after deployment, preventing the formation of an effective range and height, and rendering the area unsuitable for AFR construction. These findings provided valuable scientific guidance for AFR construction in the study area and other similar coastal regions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2c249249b35b46cbb309a873213a867b |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2077-1312 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-2c249249b35b46cbb309a873213a867b2025-08-20T02:44:32ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122025-02-0113230910.3390/jmse13020309Artificial Fish Reef Site Evaluation Based on Multi-Source High-Resolution Acoustic ImagesFangqi Wang0Yikai Feng1Senbo Liu2Yilan Chen3Jisheng Ding4First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, ChinaFirst Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, ChinaFirst Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, ChinaFirst Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, ChinaFirst Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, ChinaMarine geophysical and geological investigations are crucial for evaluating the construction suitability of artificial fish reefs (AFRs). Key factors such as seabed topography, geomorphology, sub-bottom structure, and sediment type significantly influence AFR design and site selection. Challenges such as material sinking, sediment instability, and scouring effects should be critically considered and addressed in the construction of AFR, particularly in areas with soft mud or dynamic environments. In this study, detailed investigations were conducted approximately seven months after the deployment of reef materials in the AFR experimental zones around Xiaoguan Island, located in the western South Yellow Sea, China. Based on morphological factors, using data from multibeam echosounders and side-scan sonar, the study area was divided into three geomorphic zones, namely, the tidal flat (TF), underwater erosion-accumulation slope (UEABS), and inclined erosion-accumulation shelf plain (IEASP) zones. The focus of this study was on the UEABS and IEASP experimental zones, where reef materials (concrete or stone blocks) were deployed seven months earlier. The comprehensive interpretation results of multi-source high-resolution acoustic images showed that the average settlement of individual reefs in the UEABS experimental zone was 0.49 m, and their surrounding seabed experienced little to no scouring. This suggested the formation of an effective range and height, making the zone suitable for AFR construction. However, in the IEASP experimental zone, the seabed sediment consisted of soft mud, causing the reef materials to sink into the seabed after deployment, preventing the formation of an effective range and height, and rendering the area unsuitable for AFR construction. These findings provided valuable scientific guidance for AFR construction in the study area and other similar coastal regions.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/2/309multibeam echosounderside scan sonarhigh-resolution acoustic imagemicrogeomorphic characteristicssite evaluationartificial fish reef |
| spellingShingle | Fangqi Wang Yikai Feng Senbo Liu Yilan Chen Jisheng Ding Artificial Fish Reef Site Evaluation Based on Multi-Source High-Resolution Acoustic Images Journal of Marine Science and Engineering multibeam echosounder side scan sonar high-resolution acoustic image microgeomorphic characteristics site evaluation artificial fish reef |
| title | Artificial Fish Reef Site Evaluation Based on Multi-Source High-Resolution Acoustic Images |
| title_full | Artificial Fish Reef Site Evaluation Based on Multi-Source High-Resolution Acoustic Images |
| title_fullStr | Artificial Fish Reef Site Evaluation Based on Multi-Source High-Resolution Acoustic Images |
| title_full_unstemmed | Artificial Fish Reef Site Evaluation Based on Multi-Source High-Resolution Acoustic Images |
| title_short | Artificial Fish Reef Site Evaluation Based on Multi-Source High-Resolution Acoustic Images |
| title_sort | artificial fish reef site evaluation based on multi source high resolution acoustic images |
| topic | multibeam echosounder side scan sonar high-resolution acoustic image microgeomorphic characteristics site evaluation artificial fish reef |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/2/309 |
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