SIST EN 16260:2013

Water quality - Visual seabed surveys using remotely operated and towed observation gear for collection of environmental data

This European Standard describes methods, requirements and equipment for remote visual surveillance of organisms and the seabed using still photography and video recording to ensure precise and reproducible data. The main aims of the methods are to record or monitor seabed conditions and organisms on and just above the seabed in a reproducible way at a resolution that is appropriate to the aims of the survey.
In caves and overhangs this standard may not be suitable due to technological limitations related to navigation and movement of the observation platform.

Wasserbeschaffenheit - Optische Seebodenuntersuchungen mittels ferngesteuerter Schleppgeräte zur Sammlung von Umweltdaten

Diese Europäische Norm beschreibt Verfahren, Anforderungen und Geräte zur visuellen Fernerkundung von Organismen und des Meeresbodens, wobei Standbilder und Videoaufzeichnungen eingesetzt werden, um genaue und reproduzierbare Daten zu erhalten. Die Hauptziele der Verfahren sind das Aufzeichnen oder das Monitoring von Zuständen des Meeresbodens und der auf und unmittelbar über der Meeresbodenoberfläche lebenden Organismen in einer reproduzierbaren Weise und in einer Auflösung, die den Untersuchungszielen angemessen ist.
In Höhlen und unter Überhängen kann diese Norm wegen technisch bedingter Einschränkungen bezüglich der Navigierbarkeit und Bewegungsfreiheit der Beobachtungsplattform nicht angewendet werden.

Qualité de l'eau - Études visuelles des fonds marins utilisant un matériel d'observation tracté et piloté à distance pour la collecte de données environnementales

La présente Norme européenne décrit les méthodes, les exigences et le matériel applicables à la surveillance visuelle à distance des organismes et des fonds marins à l'aide de prises de vues fixes et d'enregistrements vidéo pour constituer une documentation et des archives vidéo précises et reproductibles. Les méthodes décrites ont pour objectif principal d'enregistrer ou de contrôler les conditions des fonds marins et les organismes vivant sur et juste au-dessus du fond des mers, de façon reproductible et avec une résolution adaptée aux objectifs de l’étude.

Kakovost vode - Vizualni pregledi morskega dna z uporabo daljinsko vodene vlečne naprave za zbiranje ekoloških podatkov

Ta evropski standard opisuje metode, zahteve in opremo za daljinsko vizualno spremljanje organizmov in morskega dna s fotografiranjem ter video snemanjem za zagotavljanje natančnih in ponovljivih podatkov. Glavni cilji metod so zapisovanje ali spremljanje stanja morskega dna in organizmov na morskem dnu ali tik nad morskim dnom na ponovljiv način z ločljivostjo, ki je ustrezna glede na cilje pregleda. Ta standard zaradi tehnoloških omejitev v zvezi z navigacijo in premikanjem opazovalne ploščadi morda ni primeren za jame in previse.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 09-Jul-2011
• Publication Date: 26-Dec-2012
• ICS: 13.060.10 - Water of natural resources
• ICS: 13.060.45 - Examination of water in general
• Technical Committee: KAV - Water quality
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 07-Dec-2012
• Due Date: 11-Feb-2013
• Completion Date: 27-Dec-2012
• Ref Project: EN 16260:2012 - Water quality - Visual seabed surveys using remotely operated and/or towed observation gear for collection of environmental data

Overview

EN 16260:2012 - Water quality: Visual seabed surveys using remotely operated and/or towed observation gear - is a CEN European Standard that specifies methods, requirements and equipment for geo-referenced visual surveys of the seabed using still photography and video. Its purpose is to ensure precise, reproducible environmental data for recording and monitoring seabed conditions and organisms on and above the seabed. The standard is intended for ROVs, passive tethered platforms and towed observation gear; it is not suitable for caves and overhangs where navigation and platform movement are restricted.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Survey principle: Use of still images and continuous video (video transects) for mapping and monitoring seabed habitats, substrates and fauna.
• Equipment: Cameras, lights, sonar altimeter, data recording and positioning systems. Technical specs should be reported with results.
• Positioning accuracy: Positioning equipment must meet appropriate error margins. For depths ≥ 20 m: minimum ≤ 2 m plus a relative tolerance of +5% of depth. For depths < 20 m: minimum ≤ 3 m plus +3% of depth (examples provided in the standard).
• Camera requirements:
  • Pilot surveys: low-light composite PAL video acceptable.
  • Mapping: minimum high-resolution PAL colour camera (e.g. ~400 TV lines); HD colour (1080i) recommended.
  • Trend monitoring (still photos): images should document areas typically between 0.25 m² and 1 m².
• Sampling design & QA/QC: Guidance on survey planning, transect design, pilot surveys, mapping, trend monitoring at fixed stations, and reference locations; includes quality assurance and quality control procedures.
• Data processing: Image analysis (frame grabs, still images, video sequences), seabed substrate classification, taxonomic identification, organism quantification, reporting and archiving.
• Terminology: Defines key terms (e.g., ROV, drop camera, sonar altimeter, frame grab, transect, locality).

Applications and users

EN 16260 is designed for:

• Marine environmental consultants and survey contractors conducting seabed mapping and monitoring.
• Research institutions studying benthic habitats, megafauna/macrofauna distributions and biodiversity trends.
• Regulators and environmental managers implementing directive-driven monitoring and impact assessments.
• Offshore industry (wind, cable routes, seabed infrastructure) needing non-destructive habitat documentation.

Typical applications include baseline habitat mapping, long-term trend monitoring, environmental impact assessment, and locating reference sites for re-surveys.

Related standards

• EN 14996 - Guidance on assuring the quality of biological and ecological assessments.
• EN ISO 16665 and EN ISO 19493 - referenced for soft and shallow hard seabed investigations (see EN 16260 introduction for cross-reference).

Keywords: EN 16260, visual seabed surveys, ROV, towed observation gear, seabed mapping, video transects, positioning accuracy, marine monitoring, water quality, image analysis.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Wasserbeschaffenheit - Optische Seebodenuntersuchungen mittels ferngesteuerter Schleppgeräte zur Sammlung von UmweltdatenQualité de l'eau - Études visuelles des fonds marins utilisant un matériel d'observation tracté et piloté à distance pour la collecte de données environnementalesWater quality - Visual seabed surveys using remotely operated and towed observation gear for collection of environmental data13.060.45Preiskava vode na splošnoExamination of water in general13.060.10Voda iz naravnih virovWater of natural resourcesICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 16260:2012SIST EN 16260:2013en,fr,de01-januar-2013SIST EN 16260:2013SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 16260
October 2012 ICS 13.060.45 English Version
Water quality - Visual seabed surveys using remotely operated and/or towed observation gear for collection of environmental data
Qualité de l'eau - Études visuelles des fonds marins utilisant un matériel d'observation commandé à distance et/ou tracté pour la collecte de données environnementales Wasserbeschaffenheit - Visuelle Meeresbodenuntersuchungen mittels ferngesteuerter Geräte und/oder Schleppgeräten zur Erhebung von Umweltdaten This European Standard was approved by CEN on 15 September 2012.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels © 2012 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 16260:2012: ESIST EN 16260:2013

Example for a fieldwork registration form for visual seabed surveys . 19Bibliography . 22 SIST EN 16260:2013

The methods presented in this European Standard are particularly suitable for seabed mapping and monitoring at depths below depths achievable using traditional SCUBA diving, and in cases where safety or economical issues limit the use of SCUBA diving. They are also suitable for the description of distribution and occurrence of large and scattered organisms on substrates, where sampling with grabs do not provide representative results. For investigations on soft seabed substrate please refer to EN ISO 16665 [1] and for investigations on shallower hard seabed to EN ISO 19493 [2]. This European Standard is also suitable within the operational depth of SCUBA-diving, e.g. for large scale surveys and mapping of the seabed composition, characteristic plant and animal species occurrence and depth distribution. Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and passive tethered observation platforms are used for mapping and environmental surveys of the seabed via video and still photographs. However, the methods used and the results obtained can be rather variable without proposed consideration of geographic positioning, taxonomic precision and quantification. It is therefore important that the methods used are standardised in order to compare results. WARNING — Persons using this European Standard should be familiar with normal laboratory and fieldwork practice. This European Standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to ensure compliance with any national regulatory conditions. SIST EN 16260:2013

3.6 geographic resolution lowest unit of measurement at which a geographic distribution can be reproduced SIST EN 16260:2013

Still photographs cover a defined area, which for practical purposes can be represented by a point on a map. Video recordings carried out by means of a vehicle in motion cover a larger sampling area and the location of the start and end of the line become more important when repeating or relocating sampling stations. Therefore, for video recordings, the starting point is used as the station position.
Note 2 to entry: A station is defined by its geographic position, together with any additional information on features on the seabed (for example rocky outcrops or large stones) recognisable by either direct observation or by acoustic surveillance (for example multi-beam echo-sounder or side-scan sonar). The station is delimited at the given level of precision.
3.19 still image single photograph or frame grab 3.20 spin-test test to identify navigational offset errors, involving rotation of the ship above a fixed transponder 3.21 transect defined and continuous line or belt of pictures or video sequences across a delimited area
Note 1 to entry: The position of the transect can be random or located to reveal different (various gradients of) environmental conditions (for example gradually increasing depth etc.). 3.22 video sequence continuous part of a video film 4 Principle Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and passive tethered observation platforms are used for mapping and for environmental surveys of the seabed. Still photographs and video recordings are used in a variety of ways to obtain visual data for mapping and/or monitoring the seabed and organisms on or near the seabed. This European Standard gives guidance with respect to sampling strategies, geographic positioning, taxonomic identification and quantification and determination of seabed substrates and/or the organisms living on or above the seabed.
Water depth: 40 m appropriate error margin: ≤ 2 m + (40 m × 0,05) ≤ 4 m 5.2 Cameras and light Video recordings and still photographs should not contain electric or electronic noise. The minimum requirements of cameras (video recordings and still photographs) differ for the three types of investigations (pilot surveys, mapping and trend monitoring). For pilot surveys (see 7.4) low light, composite video PAL standard should be used. A colour camera is not a requirement for this type of survey. The minimum requirement for mapping (see 7.5) is a high resolution PAL colour camera (e.g. 400 TV lines). The application of a colour HD (high definition), 1080 interlaced is recommended. Still photographs for use in trend monitoring (see 7.6) should document an area of between 0,25 m2 and 1 m2 with a good image quality (focus and contrast) with a minimum resolution of 1 080 x 1 560 pixels (HD-format, equivalent to 300 DPI at 9 cm × 13 cm). Lights should be strong enough to provide a fully illuminated surface, at heights ≤ 3 m above seabed surface. 5.3 Sonar altimeter The elevation above seabed should be measured by a sonar altimeter or by using trigonometry. NOTE Estimation of height using trigonometry demands that the distance from camera lens to the centre of the image and the camera’s inclination angle is known. The distance is from the lens to the centre of the image from the width of the field view (scaled by parallel laser points) and the angle of view. A simpler method for keeping constant height above the seabed is to use a rope with weight, or a chain suspended from the observation platform. This method is not suitable for sensitive habitats such as coral habitats and sponge communities. Furthermore, it may also represent a safety hazard since the rope may stick to obstacles on the seabed. As far as possible, an even height (1 m to 3 m for mapping) and speed (0,5 kn to 2 kn for pilot surveys and 0,5 kn to 1 kn for mapping) should be maintained. Ideally the lower the speed, the better; but with certain sites it would be impossible to keep speeds consistently down to these levels without resorting to just working at slack water only.
An increased video frame capture-rate would allow better slow-motion replay and therefore allow a camera to travel quicker over the seabed. In all cases the camera should travel at an appropriate speed such that images obtained using video or still photograph are not overly blurred. 5.4 Data recording equipment Video records should be stored in a format (e. g. storage of video files on a hard disc or directly recorded onto a DVD burner or a DV tape recorder), that avoids loss of data quality when copying. For video recordings, the position should be inserted as text on the image, or logged in a data file where the time of the video recording can be used to synchronize the time logged together with the GPS signal, as well as other environmental data (depth, temperature, angle of camera etc.). Alternatively these data can be stored on the audio track of the video. These audio data should always follow the picture and should not be stored on a (or several) separate file(s). SIST EN 16260:2013

Examples on grid-net systems are EUREF89 (European Reference Frame 1989), and UTM coordinate system (Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system). Examples for geodetic reference systems are ETRS89 (European terrestrial reference system 1989) and WGS-84 (World Geodetic system 1984). For the purpose of mapping shallow (< 15 m) coastal areas using a drop camera the ship’s GPS can be used without hydro acoustic positioning, except for pilot surveys (see 6.3). If using an ROV in open sea areas and in areas with strong currents, the ROV shall be equipped with a sufficiently strong motor or ”garage” to avoid drift from the targeted locality (at a fixed position or between two fixed positions). If a towed platform is used in similar areas the observation platform should be heavy enough to prevent too large offset, which will disable reliable hydroacoustic positioning.
Geographic references (beyond general locality: approximately ± 100 m) should be based on hydro-acoustic positioning. When using a towed observation platform or drop camera, its position at the seabed can be estimated from the vessel’s position by correcting for deviations in relation to the observation platform (cable length, angle and direction). In all cases, the method used shall be documented. NOTE 2 There are several sources of errors in the positioning of underwater equipment. The main components in underwater positioning provide transmission of satellite signals to the ship and calculation of the distance and direction to the observation platform. The quality of underwater positioning is mainly depending on how the ship is equipped, but the setting and calibration of this equipment is also very important. 6.2 Calibration of positioning equipment For mapping and monitoring the hydro-acoustic positioning equipment needs to be calibrated on an annual basis. If a calibration has been performed for instance by comparison with a transponder placed on the seabed, values for the error should be provided in the report. If such a calibration has not been made the errors provided by the producers of the equipment should be used instead. Filtering of navigational data can significantly reduce noise. The recommended method for this is Kalman filtering [3].
NOTE Many GPS navigation systems on the market already “smoothen” the position, based on previous positions and estimated compass direction, before they are shown in the display. The method used for filtering varies, but most common is the Kalman filtering. A simpler method for filtering navigational data is to remove deviant recordings that are obvious outliers from the remainder of the recordings. Deviant values can be replaced by a value derived from the running mean of five records (two before and two after the point of the deviant record) in the series of navigational recordings. If filtering of navigational data is used, the method used should be documented when reporting the results.
The geographic resolution can be obtained by comparing the distances covered by video sequences of similar lengths with the distance as calculated using speed. 6.3 Positioning of the different types of survey For pilot surveys, positioning may refer to the position of the vessel. The positions of video transects should as a minimum be defined by the vessel´s start and end positions. The precision of positional information should fulfil the requirements of Order-2 in S-44 [4] (≤ 20 m, with a relative tolerance of + 5 % of water depth in meter).
Approximate positions along a towed transect may be calculated based on speed of the equipment together with the compass direction. SIST EN 16260:2013

For mapping, positions should be recorded at regular intervals (at least one record per 10 s) during the video recordings. The precision of the positional information should as a minimum be ≤ 2 m , with a relative tolerance of + 5 % of water depth in meter for water depth ≥ 20 m and ≤ 3 m , with a relative tolerance of + 3 % for water depth < 20 m. For trend monitoring using still photography, the positioning shall be accurate enough to allow relocation of the exact location on the seabed in order to be able to follow developments in individuals/populations using positional data for markers and/or photographs/video recordings from previous surveys. See Table 1 for an overview of the recommended minimum quality requirements of the different methods for positioning. The exact positioning of hanging or towed video with a standard vehicle is almost impossible. Therefore, it is recommended that if an exact position is required, it should be done by placing or choosing a well recognizable obstacle on the sea floor (see 7.6.2). For ROV exact positioning is possible. For a description and comparison of different crude positioning methods suitable for pilot surveys see Coggan et al 2007 [5]. 6.4 Underwater positioning The degree of accuracy varies depending on the type and aim of the investigation. Where a high accuracy of geographic positions is required, use of the Ultra Short Base Line/Super Short Base Line system (USBL/SSBL-system) should be carried out with reference to appropriate calibration of at least the USBL-system, satellite navigation system and gyro- and navigational software. If this is not available, or changes have been made to the set-up since the last calibration, the system should be re-calibrated. During calibration, a ”box-in-test” (see NOTE 1) and a ”spin-test” (see NOTE 2) should be carried out in accordance with the manufacturers instructions for the equipment/software. NOTE 1 During a "box-in-test", all four quadrants of a transponder’s position is recorded. The vessel is aligned in four different positions such that by the end of the procedure, recordings are made of where the transponder has been relative to the bow, stern, port- and starboard sides of the vessel. NOTE 2 In a spin-test, the vessel rotates directly over the transponder whilst the positions are recorded.
The use of an LBL-system (Long Base Line) for positioning during a survey should be carried out with reference to a calibration report. To provide quantitative or semi-quantitative data, the geographic position of the observation platform on the seabed should be known alongside the error margin (see 6.2).
If using hydro-acoustic positioning equipment, the position should be recorded continuously during the survey. When using a towed observation platform, the vessel’s positions may be used, after correction for the known deviation, provided that the vessel’s course and speed are stable. Calculation of the spatial extent of structures should not be based on hydro-acoustic underwater positioning if the error margins of the recordings exceed 10 % of the extent of the structure. For underwater positioning, the precision of the equipment should be documented. NOTE 3
Hydroacoustic signals are influenced by the sound velocity of the water (which varies with temperature and salinity). Thus, estimates of sound velocities should be performed at the start of
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