Located on the ground floor of the main SAMS building the sediment and geology laboratory contains a number of analytical instruments for measuring sediment texture, physical properties and includes a linked GIS-software and geophysical processing suite for processing side-scan and multibeam data.

Multi-Sensor Core Logging

The Geotek Ltd multi-sensor core logger (MSCL) is the only commercially available multi-sensor core logger.

Core samples collected by SAMS and our collaborators are an essential part of SAMS climatic research and modeling. The cores are collected as soft sediment encased in plastic (polycarbonate) sleeves. GEOTEK's MSCL is the only commercially available tool for gathering physical property data in an automated, non-destructive and quality-controlled way. The range of parameters that can be measured includes p-wave velocity, gamma density, magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity, colour imaging and gamma spectroscopy. Typically, the MSCL can log material at rates of 12m h^-1 and at sampling intervals of down to 1mm. Its flexibility is such that it can analyse either whole or split (D-section) cores.

Palaeoclimatological applications

• rapid, high resolution visual archives-
• sediment accumulation rates and chemistry-
• impedance, permeability and water content profiles-
• seismic stratigraphy-
• synthetic seismograms-
• rapid assessment of core quality-
• rapid inter core correlations-
• data rescue from existing core repositories-
• ice core logging

Laser Particle Size Analysis

Laser-particle size analysis (PSA) provides detailed information on the sediment grain size distribution and therefore texture. Textural data can be used to provide an estimate of deposition, transport and erosion rates as well as being a proxy for environmental information such as benthic ecology and biodiversity. The system used at SAMS is an LS230 Coulter Counter.

Side-Scan and Multibeam Aquisition and Processing

The combination of side-scan sonar and multibeam bathymetry provides a powerful seabed mapping tool, not presently available within the NERC pool, for identifying the processes that determine the spatial mosaic of bioresources. Used in tandem, this vital survey equipment will digitally acquire seabed morphology and surface sediment, bedform and textural information which can inform interpretations of both habitat and physical environmental conditions on the seafloor.

SAMS uses a Klein 3000 dual frequency side-scan sonar with Triton workstation and software for both acquisition and processing. The digital side scan will generate acoustic images of the seafloor and its ‘reflectivity’ revealing such features as areas of coarse or fine-grained sediments, seabed obstacles, bedforms, therefore enabling sediment transport pathways and anthropogenic impacts to be evaluated.

The multibeam bathymetry provides a highly accurate (<5m resolution) map of seabed morphology. Its use on the UK shelf is currently being realised through extensive mapping for benthic habitats, offshore civil engineering and defence projects and can also be used in the interpretation of the extent and impact of past climatic change (e.g. glaciation by mapping moraine and hence palaeo-ice limits) on the seafloor.  This system is ideal for use from the SAMS research vessel Calanus.

For more information, please contact Dr John Howe.