Comparison of UAV-based digital elevation model with multi beam bathymetry for shallow water

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 3, 303 - 312

Tuğba Kılıç , Onur Akyol , Reha Metin Alkan

https://doi.org/10.26833/ijeg.1582508

Abstract

Accurate bathymetric data is essential for marine and coastal applications, particularly in shallow water regions. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based systems are recognized for their cost-effectiveness and flexibility, making them a promising alternative in shallow-water environments where Multi Beam Echosounder (MBES) systems often face limitations due to high operational costs or logistical challenges. However, the UAV-based method is influenced by refraction effects, which result in underwater objects being perceived as shallower than their actual depth, leading to a decrease in the accuracy of the bathymetric model. To address this issue, the underestimation of water depth in submerged areas caused by refraction was evaluated using a correction algorithm. This study aims to assess the accuracy and usability of the UAV-based Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for seafloor mapping. For this assessment, the UAV-based DEM from the water body was compared with high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) seafloor topography obtained from a multi beam acoustic survey conducted in the same water area. The results indicated that an accuracy of 1.2 meters (RMSE) can be achieved in relatively shallow water areas up to a depth of 5 meters, while an accuracy of 2.0 meters (RMSE) is achievable at depths of around 15 meters. The study also highlighted the direct correlation between UAV-based DEM accuracy and depth, as well as the impact of sun glint on measurement accuracy. These findings underscore the potential of UAV technology to enhance bathymetric surveying capabilities, particularly in regions where MBES is either impractical or cost-prohibitive, thereby offering a valuable tool for comprehensive mapping and coastal studies

Keywords

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Bathymetry, Multibeam Echosounder, Topobathymetry, Marine Surveying

Ethical Statement

I declare that this study is original and that I have adhered to the principles and rules of scientific ethics at every stage. I confirm that I have cited all sources for data and information not obtained within the scope of this study and included them in the bibliography, and that I have made no alterations to the data used.

Supporting Institution

1. Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change 2. The Scientific Research Projects Department of Istanbul Technical University

Project Number

1. Integrated Marine Pollution Monitoring Program owned by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change 2. Scientific Research Projects Department of Istanbul Technical University Project Number: MYL-2024-45870

Thanks

This study was carried out as part of the Master Thesis prepared by Tuğba Kılıç at Istanbul Technical University, Graduate School. The data used in this study were obtained from the monitoring activities conducted as part of the "Integrated Marine Pollution Monitoring Program", carried out by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye Marmara Research Center (TUBITAK MRC) and owned by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. This work was supported by the Scientific Research Projects Department of Istanbul Technical University. Project Number: MYL-2024-45870. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Directorate General for Mapping (HGM) for their invaluable support. We are also deeply appreciative of Quality Positioning Services BV (QPS)’s generous support, which graciously provided access to the Fledermaus software. Their contribution significantly enhanced the scope and quality of our analysis, enabling us to perform advanced data processing and visualization.

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