Image: Google Earth, 2009

EMODNET GEOLOGYCOMBINING INFORMATION ON SEA-BED SEDIMENTS

FOR PAN-EUROPEAN MARINE ASSESSMENTS

Anu Kaskela, Aarno Kotilainen, Ulla Alanen, Alan Stevenson, and EMODNET -Geology partners

Image: Google Earth, 2009

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• Integrate existing, but fragmented initiatives – To facilitate access to primary marine data – For public authorities, maritime services, related industries and

researchers.

• Multidisciplinary Expert Group set up 2008– Tenders for first scientific data projects issued July 7th 2008– Lots for Marine geology, chemistry, biology, hydrography

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EMODNET –Geology

The Baltic Sea, Greater North Sea and Celtic Sea.

• Co-ordinated by NERC/BGS• 3-year project• 14 partners

– Geological surveys of Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Ireland and UK

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EMODNET –Geology

• 1: 1 million scale• OneGeology –Europe portal

Coherent datasets:• Sea-bed sediments (WP3)• Seafloor geology • Geological boundaries and faults• Rate of coastal erosion and

sedimentation• Geological events and event

probabilities• Seismic profiles and minerals

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EMODNET GeologyWP3, Sea-bed sediment map

Aims and objectives

• A full-coverage sea-bed substrate map – Collation, harmonisation, generalization– Integration with the hydrographic, chemical and biological lots– Highlight data gaps and deficiencies

• Accumulation rates

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EMODNET Geology; Sea-bed sediment map

→ COLLECTED MAPS ARE NOT UNIFORMSurvey methodology, Interpretation and Classification schemes differ

VSEGEI map from the Gulf of Finland

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EMODNET Geology; Sea-bed sediment mapHarmonisation

• Sediment maps are interpreted according to national standards

– Different classification schemes– Different grain size limits

• Maps need to be ”translated” into a shared scheme

• Integration with hydrographic, chemical and biological studies

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EMODNETSediment classification scheme

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EMODNET Geology; Sea-bed sediment mapHarmonisation

• Surface substrate (down to 30 cm depth)

• Existing sample data or expert -based prediction on potential surface materials

• Automatic interpolation– Sample archive– Reclassified samples

• Reclassification of the sediment map (~legend) according to surface material correlation

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EMODNET Geology; Sea-bed sediment mapGeneralization

• The target scale is 1: 1 million

• If not originally on this scale, the maps need to be generalized

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Substrate (Modified Folk)

EMODNET Geology; Sea-bed sediment mapCurrent status (2.7.2010)

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Sediment accumulation rates (cm/year)

• Based on the 137Cs

• Sedimentation rates have been between 0.01 and 2.75 cm/year (since 1986)

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This is not the end, this is just the beginning

• Confidence analysis & improvements• More layers• Case study areas to demonstrate that 1: 1 M is not enough

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Towards coherent marine geological information

• Science meets policy– Marine spatial planning– Geological data informs about natural resources and seabed

environment

• Integration and co-operation– Between geologists– Between natural scientists– Between disciplines

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Thank You!

Contact: [email protected]

Emodnet Substrate map2.7.2010/Baltic Sea