standardization of environmental data and information - International ...

KORDI was having trouble with a 10-km coaxial cable linked to the
deep-tow system, originally bought from the former Datasonics, which was
now owned by Benthos, Inc. Once the problem was resolved, this should be
an important tool for precise seafloor imaging and for environmental
studies.
Lee said KORDI also did much standard geological sampling, using
free-fall grabs, multiple corers, piston corers, dredges, sediment traps and
the like. Once collected, the nodules were classified according to texture,
shape and size, weighed wet and after drying, and were subjected to major
or minor mineral analysis, focussed on metal content. Box-core samples
were measured onboard for their geotechnical properties. Estimates of
sedimentation rates were prepared, using isotopes, micropaleontology or
paleomagnetic means, while other estimates were made of sedimentmixing
rates, accumulation rates and other sedimentation properties.
Abundance estimates were produced for the nodules, using a correction
factor of 1.29; the entire area was divided into a grid of cells 10 min on a
side and an arithmetic mean was computed for each cell. Other statistical
techniques, such as variogram analysis and the kriging method, were
sometimes used as well.
Standardisation
Concerning standardisation of geophysical data collection, Lee said
KORDI had no urgent need to do this so far because it was working most of
the time on a single research vessel and did not have to compare with
others. Any move toward standardisation must take account of rapid
technological changes, especially as more elaborate research was being
done that went beyond minimum requirements. Even formats such as SEG-
Y had variations for good reason, adapted to the strengths of individual
measuring devices. Standardisation might be useful for environmental
studies, but he hoped the burden on investigators would be minimised. He
was supposed to supply information to at least four databases, including
one belonging to KORDI, another to his Government and one at the South
Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC). It should prove
worthwhile if geophysical data such as surface images could be
standardised to promote meaningful, practical and achievable scientific
work.
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INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY