RIEGL’s VQ-840-GL Topo-Bathymetric LiDAR sensor to enhance their below-water environmental research projects. This collaboration marks a significant advancement in marine research, leveraging state-of-the-art laser scanning technology to gather sophisticated survey data.
Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) is a leading marine research organisation and registered charity based in Plymouth, England. It is a partner of the UK Research & Innovation’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). PML conducts multidisciplinary research at the cutting edge of marine science to understand complex marine environments. The laboratory’s research activities broadly investigate global-scale issues of climate change and sustainability, with core capabilities centered around biogeochemistry, ecosystem health, and sustainable development.
The RIEGL VQ-840-GL sensor provides research survey engineers with access to a wide array of primary system variables, including laser pulse repetition rate, scanner mirror speed, laser beam divergence, and receiver field of view. Additionally, it offers full waveform recording and subsequent processing options. These capabilities will be integral to PML’s benchmark testing, forming the basis for developing new codes of practice that harmonise hardware settings with project specifications and external environmental factors.
“It has been a pleasure to work with RIEGL so far.” said Aser Mata Torollo, Earth Observation Scientist with PML. “We are very excited for the unique capabilities this new sensor will bring and the groundbreaking environmental research that will make possible to improve our understanding of blue carbon habitats by collecting very high-resolution bathymetry in shallow waters that would not have been possible otherwise. We hope that during the three years of this project we can keep this partnership with RIEGL to assess the sensor in different marine environments and develop new applications based in the derived RIEGL data products.”
RIEGL is eager to support PML in adopting this innovative technology. This partnership is expected to yield significant advancements in the mapping of bathymetry of shallow waters and elevation of boundary land.
“We are excited to bring our advanced laser scanning technology to PML, a leader in marine research.” said Jonathan Robinson, Manager of Technical Sales for RIEGL UK. “RIEGL UK and RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems experts look forward to supporting PML in adopting our innovative technology.”
Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) has embarked on a groundbreaking project with their new RIEGL Bathymetric sensor mounted to a UAV platform with funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Net Zero Aerial Capability (NZArC) program. This initiative aims to revolutionise underwater environment mapping, particularly in shallow waters such as river sections and coastal areas with low turbidity.
The project, titled “A remotely piloted aerial Green LiDAR for mapping bathymetry of shallow waters and elevation of boundary land (Green LiDAR),” involves collaborations with several esteemed institutions, including the British Geological Survey, National Oceanography Centre, Scottish Association for Marine Science, and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. The innovative RIEGL VQ-840-GL Topo-Bathymetric LiDAR sensor mounted to a UAV platform, will enable high-resolution data collection in hazardous or hard-to-reach areas. This approach significantly reduces the carbon footprint compared to traditional monitoring solutions.
As part of this project, the RIEGL VQ-840-GL will undergo extensive testing and benchmarking against various bathymetric and terrestrial sensors in diverse environments. The results of these tests will be published and made freely available to establish a code of best practices for future projects. Furthermore, the ultimate goal of the project is to make this advanced capability accessible to any researcher in the UK who wishes to leverage this sensor through collaboration with PML.
For more information on this project, please visit PML’s project page.
A world leader in the field of marine research, Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) is committed to the delivery of impactful, cutting-edge environmental and social science in support of a healthy and sustainable ocean.
Our research is globally recognised. We work with a broad range of partners internationally through research projects and wider initiatives, combining observational, experimental and modelling activity to provide a greater understanding of the dynamic and complex marine environment to inform knowledge-based solutions.
Through our science we contribute to achieving targets and aspirations set out in national and international directives and goals for a sustainable future. This includes addressing many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the UK Government’s 25 year plan to improve the environment.
Our award-winning science team brings extensive interdisciplinary experience and skills to every project, with particular specialisms in areas including climate change, biodiversity, microplastics, marine autonomy, technology and artificial intelligence.
Alongside the University of Plymouth and Marine Biological Association, PML is part of Marine Research Plymouth, the UK’s largest cluster of marine science researchers.