Underwater hyperspectral imaging for environmental mapping and monitoring of seabed habitats

Underwater hyperspectral imaging is a novel method for mapping and monitoring the seafloor. It uses the reflected light from objects under water to automatically identify them. This paper explains the basic technology and shows examples of use from two field missions in Norwegian waters. In the two cases, libraries of spectral signatures for the living organisms at the site were established, and subsequently used to automatically identify objects on the seafloor.