Building capability for in situ quantitative characterisation of the ocean water column using acoustic multibeam backscatter data

Objectives: To establish a long-lasting multidisciplinary research consortium of internationally recognised experts in marine acoustics and geophysics, spatial analysis and ocean environment, for a better understanding of the origin of physical features in the water column identified from water-column acoustic backscatter data that are created by e.g., gas bubbles, gas-charged sediments, vegetation, fresh water springs, or oil leaks.