A New Degradation Model for Imaging in Natural Water and Validation Through Image Recovery

Scattering and turbulence are the main factors affecting imaging in natural water environment. A new model for underwater turbulent degradation is obtained by calculating the scattering transfer factors including the intensity distribution of beam propagation, turbulent fluid medium and suspended particle. In order to verify the proposed model, a controlled laboratory simulation system of turbulent water is established, from which the degradation transfer factor is measured and compared by image restoration and reconstruction. The new model is also applied for field tests in natural ocean water. Experimental results show that based on the proposed model, effect of image restoration and reconstruction can be substantially improved, which proves the correctness and validity of the model.