Identification of submarine banks in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea with the aid of TIN modelling

Abstract

This research project was conducted by the consultant ARGUMENT to develop an intersubjectively-revisable method for the identification and demarcation of sublittoral banks in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea by means of morphometric methods. This was done with the aid of TIN modelling and GIS-supported three-dimensional analysis of bathymetric data. Three main steps were taken: collecting morphometric data and examining them vis-à-vis the aim stated above; developing a useful morphometric definition of marine banks which can be applied to the available set of data; determining and recording the distinguishing features of subtypes of marine banks in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The following results were achieved: A morphometric definition for marine banks could be developed and accordingly, identifications and demarcations of banks were possible, as long as a small window of opportunity was left open for the scientist's own decisions. In this regard, the density of data was a decisive criterion for the identification and demarcation of marine banks. As results, 20 marine banks were identified in the North Sea, and 63 in the Baltic Sea. © 2006 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.