Marine and Coastal Survey Techniques
Last updated:27 June 2014
![Cowfish](https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0015/15360/varieties/768w.jpg)
In order to understand which animals are able to live under particular conditions, ecologists at Geoscience Australia use a range of methods to sample the seafloor.
![Due to the limited audience of this diagram and its complexity, no alternative description has been provided. Please email clientservices@ga.gov.au](https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0004/15376/varieties/768w.jpg)
Images of the seafloor are collected using video and still-photography cameras to allow scientists to study the seabed (benthic environment).
![Marine survey fieldwork](https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0003/130539/varieties/768w.jpg)
Scientists use coring, drilling and sediment sampling equipment, to collect sediment and rock samples from the seafloor and the top few metres of the substrate.
![Due to the limited audience of this diagram and its complexity, no alternative description has been provided. Please email clientservices@ga.gov.au](https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0019/61444/varieties/768w.jpg)
Marine geologists use sidescan sonar, multibeam sonar and shallow water sub-bottom profiling equipment to map the seafloor.
![Marine survey fieldwork](https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0019/130537/varieties/768w.jpg)
Backscatter data provides information on the ‘hardness’ of the sea floor and is used to differentiate between different types of sea floor, such as hard rock or soft sediment.