Developments and applications of underwater LiDAR systems in support of marine science

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) has been used extensively to accumulate high-resolution topographical data in air. Over the last few decades, the technology has been extended to capture bathymetric data in coastal waters. With a large portion of the ocean unmapped, there is opportunity for technology advancement to deliver improved quality and efficiency in the mapping of shallow water regions. This paper assesses existing technology and the history of underwater LiDAR profiling and bathymetric mapping to identify potential opportunities for future growth. Alternative uses for laser ranging systems, both subsea and in-air will drive expected system specifications. The findings assist with classifying important design choices that drive the functionality and suitability of a LiDAR for different marine science applications.