2-D Wavelet Transform of Greene Bomber 120 kHz Acoustic Backscatter Data for Multiscale Characterization (LA-UR-03-8746)

Fisher, K.E.1 and Wiebe, P.H.2
1Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545
2Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543

Having gathered thousands of kilometers of acoustics data using the Greene Bomber tow-body during US GLOBEC Northwest Atlantic broad-scale survey cruises, we are now interested in applying pattern classification techniques toward accurate biomass estimates. Biomass fields have been compiled from Bongo tows for stations and midpoints. We are now at the stage of looking at the patchiness in the 120 kHz acoustic backscatter observations at scales ranging from 120 m to 1.2 km during the last Georges Bank broad-scale cruise (AL9906). Here, we present 2-D wavelet transforms of data between Station 5 and Station 18 on the Southern Flank. This is work in progress. We aim to present an analysis of patch structure in relation to Bongo biomass for the AGU-OS meeting (Portland) after determining how the scaling characteristics determined through wavelet analysis of acoustic backscatter relate to biomass levels observed around Georges Bank.