Improving Human Living Using Bathymetric Methods

The continuous technological improvement in bathymetric equipment, positioning capacity, data processing, as well as the development of new ways of depth determinations and exploring the submerged relief, have been noticed in recent years. There are multiple techniques, more or less precise, used for depth surveying. Among these, acoustic and radio bathymetry are most widely used. Survey systems can be autonomous or mounted on various platforms and also can provide different accuracies. If GNSS data is correlated with the bathymetric survey systems, the results have improved accuracy. Additionally, optical methods (based on active or passive sensors) can be used for depth surveys. Comparing to topography, even despite the multiple bathymetric methods and their usage, underwater still remains uncertain or unknown. Though, administrative decisions based on bathymetric data include maritime or nautical navigation safety, coastal spatial planning, environmental protection, underwater exploration, research and monitoring, and not least underwater resources exploitation. A better knowledge and understanding of the underwater relief could lead human to reduce water pollution, and therefore, to a better life.