Improvement of Image Alignment Using Camera Attitude Information

We discuss a proposed technique for incorporation of information from a variety of sensors in a video imagery processing pipeline. The auxiliary information allows one to simplify computations, effectively reducing the number of independent parameters in the transformation model. The mosaics produced by this technique are adequate for many applications, in particular habitat mapping. The algorithm, demonstrated through simulations and hardware configuration, is described in detai

Sensor-Assisted Video Mosaicing for Seafloor Mapping

This paper discusses a proposed processing technique for combining video imagery with auxiliary sensor information. The latter greatly simplifies image processing by reducing complexity of the transformation model. The mosaics produced by this technique are adequate for many applications, in particular habitat mapping. The algorithm is demonstrated through simulations and hardware configuration is described

Seafloor Video Mapping: Modeling, Algorithms, Apparatus

This paper discusses a technique used for construction of high-resolution image mosaic from a videosequence and the synchronously logged camera attitude information. It allows one to infer geometric characteristics of the imaged terrain and hence improve the mosaic quality and reduce the computational burden. The technique is demonstrated using numerical modeling and is applied to videodata collected on Rainsford Island, Mass. Calculation of the transformation relating consecutive image frames is an essential operation affecting reliability of the whole mosaicing process. Improvements to the algorithm are suggested, which significantly decrease the possibility of convergence to an inappropriate solution

Underwater Video Survey: Planning and Data Processing

The importance of underwater video surveys as an exploration tool has been steadily increasing over recent years [1]. Better photographic equipment, more effective sources of illumination, and improved processing techniques - all make video surveying a reliable tool for seafloor habitat mapping, sediment boundary delineation and groundtruthing, mapping and documentation of forensic and archaeological sites. There is a change in attitude towards video surveying that affects the way the data is collected, and hence its quality. Earlier video data processing algorithms had to cope with whatever was recorded (often simultaneously with acquisition of other data, considered to be more important). Now we have a chance to plan ahead and organize a survey in a way most suitable for the processing. The goal of this paper is to review available processing techniques and to discuss preferable survey patterns, associated errors and processing stability

Sources And Cycling of Carbonyl Sulfide in the Sargasso Sea

The cycling of the radiatively important gas carbonyl sulfide (OCS) was studied in surface waters of the Sargasso Sea. In August 1999, surface OCS concentrations averaged 8.6 pmol L-1, showed minor diel variations, and varied little with depth. An OCS precursor, total dissolved organic sulfur (DOS), was lowest at the surface (40 nmol L-1) and increased with depth. The photoproduction rate of OCS from in situ incubations averaged 9.6 pmol L-1 h-1, whereas dark production was 7.0 pmol L-1 h-1. Apparent quantum yields were 10-5-10-7 from 313-436 nm and varied with the water depth irradiated. In March 2000, there were strong diel variations in surface OCS (highest in late afternoon; overall average, 16.9 pmol L-1). Depth profiles in the afternoon showed surface water maxima and decreases with depth, whereas DOS had a surface maximum of 419 nmol L-1 and decreased with depth. Dark production was 4.0 pmol L-1 h-1. Modeling of the diel cycle suggested a photoproduction rate of 16.4 pmol L-1 h-1. Overall, the photochemical production of OCS strongly depended on DOS and chromophoric dissolved organic matter, whereas dark production was influenced by the presence of particles and perhaps microbial respiration, showing a direct biotic influence on OCS cycling

Sensor-assisted Video Mapping of the Seafloor

In recent years video surveys have become an increasingly important ground-truthing of acousticseafloor characterization and benthic habitat mapping studies. However, the ground-truthing and detailed characterization provided by video are still typically done using sparse sample imagery supplemented by physical samples. Combining single video frames in a seamless mosaic can provide a tool by which imagery has significant areal coverage, while at the same time showing small fauna and biological features at mm resolution. The generation of such a mosaic is a challenging task due to height variations of the imaged terrain and decimeter scale knowledge of camera position. This paper discusses the current role of underwater video survey, and the potential for generating consistent, quantitative image maps using video data, accompanied by data that can be measured by auxiliary sensors with sufficient accuracy, such as camera tilt and heading, and their use in automated mosaicking techniques. The camera attitude data also provide the necessary information to support the development of a video collage. The collage provides a quick look at the large spatial scale features in a scene and can be used to pinpoint regions that are likely to yield useful information when rendered into high-resolution mosaics. It is proposed that high quality mosaics can be produced using consumer-grade cameras and low-cost sensors, thereby allowing for the economical scientific video surveys. A case study is presented with the results from benthic habitat mapping and the ground-truthing ofseafloor acoustic data using both real underwater imagery and simulations. A computer modeling of the process of video data acquisition (in particular on a non-flat terrain) allows for a better understanding of the main sources of error in mosaic generation and for the choice of near-optimal processing strategies. Various spatial patterns of video survey coverage are compared and it is shown that some patterns have certain advantages in the sense of accumulated error and overall mosaic accuracy

Organic sulfur: a spatially variable and understudied component of marine organic matter

© The Author(s), 2020. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Longnecker, K., Oswald, L., Soule, M. C. K., Cutter, G. A., & Kujawinski, E. B. Organic sulfur: a spatially variable and understudied component of marine organic matter. Limnology and Oceanography Letters, (2020), doi:10.1002/lol2.10149.Sulfur (S) is a major heteroatom in organic matter. This project evaluated spatial variability in the concentration and molecular‐level composition of organic sulfur along gradients of depth and latitude. We measured the concentration of total organic sulfur (TOS) directly from whole seawater. Our data reveal high variability in organic sulfur, relative to established variability in total organic carbon or nitrogen. The deep ocean contained significant amounts of organic sulfur, and the concentration of TOS in North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) decreased with increasing age while total organic carbon remained stable. Analysis of dissolved organic matter extracts by ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry revealed that 6% of elemental formulas contained sulfur. The sulfur‐containing compounds were structurally diverse, and showed higher numbers of sulfur‐containing elemental formulas as NADW moved southward. These measurements of organic sulfur in seawater provide the foundation needed to define the factors controlling organic sulfur in the global ocean.We thank Catherine Carmichael, Winifred Johnson, and Gretchen Swarr for assistance with sample collection and processing, and Joe Jennings for the analysis of inorganic nutrients. The help of the captain and crew of the R/V Knorr and the other cruise participants during the “DeepDOM” cruise is appreciated. Two anonymous reviewers and Patricia Soranno provided thorough comments that greatly improved the manuscript. The ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry samples were analyzed at the WHOI FT‐MS Users' Facility that is funded by the National Science Foundation (grant OCE‐0619608) and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (GMBF1214). This project was funded by NSF grants OCE‐1154320 (to EBK and KL), the W.M. Marquet Award (to KL), and OCE‐1435708 (to GAC). The authors declare no conflicts of interest

Improved antimicrobial activity of nisin-incorporated polymer films by formulation change and addition of food grade chelator

Aims: The following polymers were developed: polyethylene (PE), a PE and polyethylene oxide (70% PE and 30% PEO; PE + PEO) blend, PE and nisin (PE + nisin), PE, nisin, and EDTA (PE + nisin + EDTA), and PE + PEO with nisin (PE + PEO + nisin). Methods and Results: Of the polymers tested, PE and PE + PEO did not exhibit any antimicrobial activity against Brochothrix thermosphacta (BT); however, PE + nisin, PE + nisin + EDTA, and PE + PEO + nisin did. Beef surfaces were experimentally inoculated with 3·50 log10 cfu/cm2 of BT, vacuum packaged with each of the five polymers, and held at 4°C for 21 d. After 3 d at 4°C, BT was reduced \u3e 1·70 log10 by PE + nisin and \u3e 3·50 log10 with PE + nisin + EDTA or PE + PEO + nisin. By 21 d at 4°C, BT was reduced to 0·30 log10 cfu/cm2 when treated with PE + PEO + nisin. Conclusions: It appears that PE + PEO + nisin or PE + nisin + EDTA were more effective for reducing BT, as compared to polymers composed of PE + nisin. Significance and Impact of the Study: Nisin-incorporated polymers may control the growth of undesirable bacteria, thereby extending the shelf life and possibly enhancing the microbial safety of meats

Improved antimicrobial activity of nisin-incorporated polymer films by formulation change and addition of food grade chelator

Aims: The following polymers were developed: polyethylene (PE), a PE and polyethylene oxide (70% PE and 30% PEO; PE + PEO) blend, PE and nisin (PE + nisin), PE, nisin, and EDTA (PE + nisin + EDTA), and PE + PEO with nisin (PE + PEO + nisin). Methods and Results: Of the polymers tested, PE and PE + PEO did not exhibit any antimicrobial activity against Brochothrix thermosphacta (BT); however, PE + nisin, PE + nisin + EDTA, and PE + PEO + nisin did. Beef surfaces were experimentally inoculated with 3·50 log10 cfu/cm2 of BT, vacuum packaged with each of the five polymers, and held at 4°C for 21 d. After 3 d at 4°C, BT was reduced \u3e 1·70 log10 by PE + nisin and \u3e 3·50 log10 with PE + nisin + EDTA or PE + PEO + nisin. By 21 d at 4°C, BT was reduced to 0·30 log10 cfu/cm2 when treated with PE + PEO + nisin. Conclusions: It appears that PE + PEO + nisin or PE + nisin + EDTA were more effective for reducing BT, as compared to polymers composed of PE + nisin. Significance and Impact of the Study: Nisin-incorporated polymers may control the growth of undesirable bacteria, thereby extending the shelf life and possibly enhancing the microbial safety of meats