1:45 PM - 3:15 PM
[SCG52-P18] Characterization of the distribution mode of ferromanganese nodules around Minamitorishima Island based on a peak-fitting analysis of the acoustic backscatter intensity of the seafloor
Keywords:critical metals, ferromanganese nodules, acoustic survey, peak-fitting analysis, Minamitorishima Island
Ferromanganese nodules are attracting worldwide attention as a promising source of industrially critical metals including cobalt, nickel, or copper. Thus, various research for their development are being conducted by many countries. In 2016, a wide distribution of dense ferromanganese nodule fields was discovered in the Japanese exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around Minamitorishima Island, which provides us a new expectation for the potential domestic resource for the metals that are essential for carbon-neutral technologies.
Our previous study established a new visualization method for the distribution of ferromanganese nodules using the acoustic backscatter intensity of the seafloor [1]. In the study, the acoustic backscatter intensity data obtained by a multi-narrow beam echo sounder during several cruises were processed and integrated into a unified dataset. The analysis of the histogram of the comprehensive data provided a threshold corresponding to a dense ferromanganese nodules distribution in the studied area. However, the relationship between some obvious peaks in the histogram of the acoustic intensity data and the actual seafloor facies has not yet been investigated.
In this study, we first decomposed the acoustic intensity data histogram into three distinct peaks by a peak-fitting analysis, and then investigated how these peaks correspond to the actual seafloor surface features observed by the SHINKAI 6500. In the presentation, we will discuss the relationship between each peak and the distribution mode of ferromanganese nodules on the seafloor around Minamitorishima Island.
Our previous study established a new visualization method for the distribution of ferromanganese nodules using the acoustic backscatter intensity of the seafloor [1]. In the study, the acoustic backscatter intensity data obtained by a multi-narrow beam echo sounder during several cruises were processed and integrated into a unified dataset. The analysis of the histogram of the comprehensive data provided a threshold corresponding to a dense ferromanganese nodules distribution in the studied area. However, the relationship between some obvious peaks in the histogram of the acoustic intensity data and the actual seafloor facies has not yet been investigated.
In this study, we first decomposed the acoustic intensity data histogram into three distinct peaks by a peak-fitting analysis, and then investigated how these peaks correspond to the actual seafloor surface features observed by the SHINKAI 6500. In the presentation, we will discuss the relationship between each peak and the distribution mode of ferromanganese nodules on the seafloor around Minamitorishima Island.