EVALUATION OF AIRBORNE HYPERSPECTRAL REMOTE

SENSING DATA FOR SHALLOW WATER BATHYMETRY

Enjie Jing
Defence Science and Technology Organisation
PO Box 44, Pyrmont, NSW 2009, Australia
Enjie.jing@dsto.defence.gov.au

Abstract
Hyperspectral remote sensing technology has recently attracted much
attention for both defence and civilian applications such as littoral battlefield
assessment, coastal bathymetry, mineral mapping and environmental
monitoring. Hyperspectral sensing instruments allow us to view the earth not
only in a few, but hundreds of different spectral channels over a wide
wavelength range. Hyperspectral sensors have been seen by many
researchers as a particularly useful means of determining inherent optical
properties of coastal waters, where the constituents are more complicated
than those of oceanic waters. The substantial number of spectral bands,
usually in the hundreds for hyperspectral sensors, enables spectral
discrimination between different constituents within the water column and on
the seabed. These additional spectral bands will enable a more accurate
estimation of water depth and bottom type than was previously possible with
multi-spectral remote sensing techniques.

From a defence perspective, there is a need for characterization of the littoral

battle space, including charting of shallow coastal waters and mapping the dry
land portion of the littoral zone. Currently there is a weakness in our
knowledge or capability of assessing dynamic littoral waters; many of which
are uncharted or inaccessible. For example, the area of interest may be
remotely located, or the survey might be required more urgently than a boat-
based survey can be organised. In such situations remote sensing is an
attractive alternative using airborne or satellite-based sensors.

A recent hyperspectral sensing survey of Jervis Bay using the HyMap system
demonstrated that water depths of up to 20m derived hyperspectrally were
correlated well to that measured from the conventional hydrographical survey
means. The results suggested that hyperspectral remote sensing is likely to
be of great value to bathymetric mapping in shallow coastal waters where
traditional boat-based surveys are difficult, dangerous or otherwise may not
be possible.

The purpose of this research is to investigate the utility of the hyperspectral

remote sensing technique for determining bathymetry particularly in shallow
coastal waters.