Hydroografiske

Hydroografiske, often translated as hydrographic, refers to the science and practice of surveying bodies of water and their surroundings to support navigation, engineering, and environmental management. It encompasses the measurement and description of depths, seabed features, tides, currents, water levels, and coastal topography, as well as related physical and chemical properties of the water.

The core activities of hydrography include bathymetric sounding to determine depths, mapping of seabed morphology, and monitoring tidal and current regimes. Modern data collection relies on acoustic methods such as single-beam and multibeam echo sounding, sub-bottom profilers, and sometimes seismic techniques. Surface instruments include tide gauges, current meters like acoustic Doppler current profilers, and instruments that measure salinity, temperature, and other water properties (CTD casts). Aerial and satellite remote sensing, including LiDAR and radar imagery, also contribute to coastal and shallow-water mapping.

Outputs of hydroographic work are nautical charts, depth measurements, and digital elevation models of the seabed and coast. These products support safe navigation, port and harbor planning, dredging, offshore construction, flood risk assessment, and coastal zone management. Data standards and interoperability are governed by international organizations such as the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), which develops specifications for charting, data formats, and product specifications (eg, S-57, S-100 and related standards). Hydroography plays a crucial role in maritime safety, environmental monitoring, and research by providing accurate, up-to-date representations of the marine and littoral environment.