ANALYSIS OF THE HIGHLY SINUOUS MEAN MEANDERS OF THE TRANSECTS RIVER CHANNEL

A multibeam mapping research cruise on the mid-continental shelf was conducted in November 2006 aboard the NOAA Ship Nancy Foster. This investigation followed discoveries made during the College of Charleston Transect Program in 2004, when a meandering river bed, now referred to as the Transect River Channel, was first identified. This highly sinuous channel is incised into the hardground in approximately 20 m of water off the Charleston, SC coast. We will use CARIS HIPS/SIPS software to analyze a section of the channel called Mean Meanders, using the new multibeam sonar data as well as sidescan sonar collected on previous Transect cruises. The multibeam's backscatter channel will also be evaluated to investigate the relative distribution of hardground exposures and soft-substrate areas. Backscatter ground-truthing and overall sedimentology of the Mean Meanders area will be assessed using numerous sediment grab samples collected. Finally, video investigations of seafloor and invertebrate biota living attached to adjacent areas of hardground will contribute to the overall characterization of this interesting benthic habitat where significant commercially-important fish populations have been observed.