[EN] A prototype multi-beam front-scan sonar system has been defined for the characterization and observation of the seafloor. This system has been developed within the framework of COSMOS Project (Ref. MAS3-CT97-0090). The first sea trial to test the capabilities of the COSMOS sonartook place recently in the Catalan continental shelf. Three areas were selected (Blanes, Barcelona and Vilanova) based on the huge volume of geological background information of these areas, which has allowed the accomplishement of the following objetives: seabed characterization, mapping of relief, and seafloor imaging.The Blanes area has been useful to determine the validity of the COSMOS system for sediment classification on a wide scale. The Barcelona area has been chosen to determine the capabilities of the COSMOS system for sediment classification on a detail scale i.e, where sediment variation occurs on subtle or gradual changes in textural types; in this area also pipeline andsurficial seafloor morphologies caused by fishing activity and sewage deposits have beenimaging. The Vilanova area has been specifically selected to test the capabilities of the COSMOS system due to the precise delimitation of the artificial reef and antisfishing structures

[ES] La investigación marina requiere siempre la utilización de buques como plataformas para la obtención de datos, pero además el desarrollo de esta ciencia precisa de constantes desarrollos tecnológicos, construcción de nuevos o más precisos instrumentos, y mediciones novedosas que proporcionen el avance en el conocimiento de los procesos oceánicos. El interés científico del estudio del fondo marino comprende un amplio espectro de características que incluyen, no sólo la morfología de los mismos, sino también la naturaleza del material que lo conforma y su distribución espacio-temporal. [...]

V Congreso Geológico de España, 10-14 julio 2000, Alicante.-- 5 pages, 5 figures

Peer reviewed