Sediment Imaging and Analysis

SAIC is a national leader in the application and interpretation of seafloor sediment profile imaging in aquatic environments.


Sediment profile imaging, also called Remote Ecological Monitoring Of The Seafloor (REMOTS), was developed by scientists at SAIC in the early 1980's to provide a rapid and cost effective method for mapping changes in the sediment surface of the ocean seafloor, estuaries, lakes, and rivers. Many seafloor processes can be reconstructed from sedimentary and biological features found in the upper 20 cm of the seafloor. The unique design of the sediment profile camera allows high-resolution imaging of these features in even the most turbid water conditions. SAIC has developed a computer image analysis system to measure the following sedimentary and biological parameters from the sediment profile images:

  • Dredged material thickness;
  • Sediment grain size;
  • Depth of sediment oxygenation (RPD);
  • Small scale sediment surface boundary roughness;
  • Sediment transport and fate indicators;
  • Presence and density of aquatic organisms;
  • Subsurface methane gas pockets; and
  • Calculation of the Organism-Sediment Index (benthic habitat quality index)

SAIC has used sediment profile imaging as a rapid and cost-effective mapping tool for a wide variety of applications, including:

  • Mapping the distribution of dredged material at open water disposal sites;
  • Construction monitoring of sediment capping projects and Confined Aquatic Disposal (CAD) sites;
  • Refinement of sediment sampling designs through REMOTS reconnaissance,
  • Mapping of erosional or nondepositional areas and low energy depositional sites;
  • Identification of areas with chronic organic loading
  • Measurement of aquaculture impacts due to salmon and mussel farms; and
  • Effluent discharge monitoring (e.g., outfalls, wood pulp waste).

Experience and Capability Highlights

  • SAIC's has utilized sediment profile imaging for several federal customers and various U.S. and international commercial customers;
  • Extensive experience with dredged material site designation studies and disposal site monitoring programs; and
  • State of the art equipment and software, including digital camera technology and time-lapse imaging capability to quantify organism-sediment processes