Underwater Visual Signal Processing in the Data-Driven Era

In the data-driven era, marine science has seen significant advancements, with underwater visual data playing a crucial role in understanding marine ecosystems, studying marine geology, preserving underwater archaeological sites, and assessing anthropogenic impacts. This research topic aims to showcase the latest developments in underwater visual signal processing, with a focus on their practical applications in marine science.

The integration of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics has opened new avenues for interpreting and utilizing underwater visual data. This field encompasses a wide range of topics, from the acquisition of images and videos to advanced processing techniques. Our goal is to foster cross-disciplinary research and highlight how these innovations serve the broader ocean observation community.

We invite submissions that explore how these technologies can enhance observational coverage, reduce uncertainties in physical, chemical, and biological processes, and ultimately advance marine science. Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

Practical applications of underwater visual information in marine science
• Marine biodiversity monitoring
• Habitat mapping and reconstruction
• Marine species identification and tracking
• Behavioral studies of marine organisms

Underwater visual data in marine ecosystem studies
• Assessment of ecosystem health and resilience
• Impact assessments of marine disasters
• Seasonal and spatial variability in marine environments
• Trophic interactions and food web dynamics

Assessing the anthropogenic activities in marine environments using visual data
• Monitoring of marine pollution
• Detection of illegal fishing and poaching activities
• Evaluation of habitat degradation and restoration efforts
• Analysis of the impacts of coastal development

Enhancing the quality of underwater image and video data for scientific research
(Manuscripts for this part need to be submitted to Imaging Applications section in Frontiers in Imaging )
• Noise reduction and color correction in underwater images
• Underwater image restoration and enhancement
• Improving low-light underwater imaging

Methods for improving the accuracy and coverage of underwater observations
(Manuscripts for this part need to be submitted to the Environmental Informatics and Remote Sensing section in Frontiers in Environmental Science)
• Advances in imaging systems and sensors
• Integration of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs)
• Real-time underwater visual data processing and analysis

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Visual Processing, Underwater Imaging, Underwater Data Fusion, Underwater AI Applications

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.