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Sediment Profile Imaging (SPI)

Sediment Profile Imaging (SPI) is used to create underwater photographs of the interface between the seabed/riverbed and the overlaying water. The camera is mounted vertically within a waterproof housing. Photos are acquired through a 45º angle prism which provides a horizontal, cross-sectional photo of the upper ~20cm of the surface sediment. The SPI camera is deployed at aquatic disposal sites, construction sites, and sediment cap locations to provide before- and after-activity conditions, or Superfund sites for sediment assessment or simply to limit direct human interaction with the sediment.

SPI images may be analyzed to determine sediment type, to evaluate the in situ chemical REDOX state of the surface layers (through color analysis), and to evaluate benthic ecological cycling in surface sediments (e.g. presence of organisms, and evidence of bioturbation, and/or bio-irrigation). The camera view frame is scaled; therefore, the imagery can be used to perform in situ measurements of layer thickness, benthic community characterization, and sediment grain size.

OSI supports clients engaged in contaminated sediment site remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) activities, environmental risk assessment, biogeochemical modeling, and sediment cap monitoring.

Representative Projects

Archaeological Investigation: Searsport, Maine

Using marine geophysical techniques, Ocean Surveys conducted an archaeological investigation in Searsport Harbor, Maine. It was completed in support of a channel deepening project performed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (New England District). The investigation was designed to ...
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Charting Navigable Waters

Ocean Surveys was a subcontractor to the prime on NOAA’s very first contracted hydrographic survey. Since 1999, OSI has acted as a prime contractor and surveyed thousands of square nautical miles of navigable waters on behalf of NOAA (see table ...
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Submarine Cable and Pipeline Routing: Massachusetts Bay

Ocean Surveys, Inc. initially performed a desktop study to compile geologic, oceanographic, sediment chemistry, and marine activity background information supporting the feasibility assessment of the project. This research was followed by a reconnaissance level marine geophysical survey along an alignment ...
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Submarine Outfall Placement: Offshore of Sosua, Dominican Republic

Ocean Surveys conducted an oceanographic and geophysical data collection program in near shore waters off of Sosua, Dominican Republic, to support a joint project between the Dominican government and the World Bank. The project required a detailed investigation of the ...
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Wastewater Treatment and Disposal: Alexandria, Egypt

The wastewater treatment and disposal facilities serving the City of Alexandria, Egypt were being modernized and upgraded. Feasibility studies required thorough evaluation of wastewater disposal alternatives, including an ocean outfall. To support that evaluation, OSI conducted a multi-disciplinary survey program ...
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Wind Farm Development: Atlantic Ocean, Offshore Rhode Island

From 2009 to 2017, OSI provided extensive survey and data analysis for the wind farm development offshore Rhode Island. These services were performed in support of all phases of the design, permitting, and construction of five wind turbines, inter-array, and ...
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