A novel edge-feature attention fusion framework for underwater image enhancement

Underwater images captured by Remotely Operated Vehicles are critical for marine research, ocean engineering, and national defense, but challenges such as blurriness and color distortion necessitate advanced enhancement techniques. To address these issues, this paper presents the CUG-UIEF algorithm,...

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Main Authors: Shuai Shen, Haoyi Wang, Weitao Chen, Pingkang Wang, Qianyong Liang, Xuwen Qin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Marine Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1555286/full
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author Shuai Shen
Haoyi Wang
Weitao Chen
Pingkang Wang
Qianyong Liang
Xuwen Qin
Xuwen Qin
author_facet Shuai Shen
Haoyi Wang
Weitao Chen
Pingkang Wang
Qianyong Liang
Xuwen Qin
Xuwen Qin
author_sort Shuai Shen
collection DOAJ
description Underwater images captured by Remotely Operated Vehicles are critical for marine research, ocean engineering, and national defense, but challenges such as blurriness and color distortion necessitate advanced enhancement techniques. To address these issues, this paper presents the CUG-UIEF algorithm, an underwater image enhancement framework leveraging edge feature attention fusion. The method comprises three modules: 1) an Attention-Guided Edge Feature Fusion Module that extracts edge information via edge operators and enhances object detail through multi-scale feature integration with channel-cross attention to resolve edge blurring; 2) a Spatial Information Enhancement Module that employs spatial-cross attention to capture spatial interrelationships and improve semantic representation, mitigating low signal-to-noise ratio; and 3) Multi-Dimensional Perception Optimization integrating perceptual, structural, and anomaly optimizations to address detail blurring and low contrast. Experimental results demonstrate that CUG-UIEF achieves an average peak signal-to-noise ratio of 24.49 dB, an 8.41% improvement over six mainstream algorithms, and a structural similarity index of 0.92, a 1.09% increase. These findings highlight the model’s effectiveness in balancing edge preservation, spatial semantics, and perceptual quality, offering promising applications in marine science and related fields.
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institution DOAJ
issn 2296-7745
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publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Marine Science
spelling doaj-art-3c0252ecfed24fbe993322cef99b66e02025-08-20T03:07:06ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Marine Science2296-77452025-04-011210.3389/fmars.2025.15552861555286A novel edge-feature attention fusion framework for underwater image enhancementShuai Shen0Haoyi Wang1Weitao Chen2Pingkang Wang3Qianyong Liang4Xuwen Qin5Xuwen Qin6Faculty of Computer-Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, Hubei, ChinaFaculty of Computer-Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, Hubei, ChinaFaculty of Computer-Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, Hubei, ChinaDepartment of Fundamental Investigations, China Geological Survey, Beijing, ChinaGuangzhou Marine Geological Survey, China Geological Survey, Guangzhou, Guangdong, ChinaKey Laboratory of Geological Survey and Evaluation of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, Hubei, ChinaChina Aero Geophysical Survey and Remote Sensing Centre for Natural Resources, China Geological Survey, Beijing, ChinaUnderwater images captured by Remotely Operated Vehicles are critical for marine research, ocean engineering, and national defense, but challenges such as blurriness and color distortion necessitate advanced enhancement techniques. To address these issues, this paper presents the CUG-UIEF algorithm, an underwater image enhancement framework leveraging edge feature attention fusion. The method comprises three modules: 1) an Attention-Guided Edge Feature Fusion Module that extracts edge information via edge operators and enhances object detail through multi-scale feature integration with channel-cross attention to resolve edge blurring; 2) a Spatial Information Enhancement Module that employs spatial-cross attention to capture spatial interrelationships and improve semantic representation, mitigating low signal-to-noise ratio; and 3) Multi-Dimensional Perception Optimization integrating perceptual, structural, and anomaly optimizations to address detail blurring and low contrast. Experimental results demonstrate that CUG-UIEF achieves an average peak signal-to-noise ratio of 24.49 dB, an 8.41% improvement over six mainstream algorithms, and a structural similarity index of 0.92, a 1.09% increase. These findings highlight the model’s effectiveness in balancing edge preservation, spatial semantics, and perceptual quality, offering promising applications in marine science and related fields.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1555286/fullunderwater image enhancementedge feature attention fusionspatial crossattentionmultidimensional perception optimizationattention-guided edge feature fusion
spellingShingle Shuai Shen
Haoyi Wang
Weitao Chen
Pingkang Wang
Qianyong Liang
Xuwen Qin
Xuwen Qin
A novel edge-feature attention fusion framework for underwater image enhancement
Frontiers in Marine Science
underwater image enhancement
edge feature attention fusion
spatial crossattention
multidimensional perception optimization
attention-guided edge feature fusion
title A novel edge-feature attention fusion framework for underwater image enhancement
title_full A novel edge-feature attention fusion framework for underwater image enhancement
title_fullStr A novel edge-feature attention fusion framework for underwater image enhancement
title_full_unstemmed A novel edge-feature attention fusion framework for underwater image enhancement
title_short A novel edge-feature attention fusion framework for underwater image enhancement
title_sort novel edge feature attention fusion framework for underwater image enhancement
topic underwater image enhancement
edge feature attention fusion
spatial crossattention
multidimensional perception optimization
attention-guided edge feature fusion
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1555286/full
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