Notice for the BSCD2000 height adjustment matrix update
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The Baltic Sea Chart Datum 2000 (BSCD2000) is a unified Chart Datum that has been implemented in the Baltic Sea region, marking a significant step towards standardizing charting in the area. This project, which involves a transition to the new vertical reference system for depth and height information, is part of a broader effort by Baltic countries to adopt national realizations of the European Vertical Reference System (EVRS) connected to the Normaal Amsterdams Peil (NAP)[1][3].
The practical realization of BSCD2000 is based on national geodetic reference frames, data, and services. An essential component for its practical realization is a model of the unified height reference surface for the Baltic Sea region, known as the geoid. The merged gravimetric quasigeoid model shall be published for scientific applications in geodesy and ocean modeling[2].
The principal steps to construct the seamless and harmonized BSCD2000 height transformation grid involve merging, fitting, and blending gravimetric quasigeoid solutions with national geodetic references[4]. The grid has been finalized and agreed upon by geodetic representatives of each country, except Russia[5].
Large parts of the Baltic Sea have been remeasured or measured for the first time under the project FAMOS, co-funded by the European Union[6]. The BSCD2000 height transformation grid is harmonized with the current national geodetic realizations according to the BSCD2000 specifications[7].
The formal compliance of the gravimetric quasigeoid model with accuracy requirements following the BSCD2000 specifications (5 cm standard uncertainty) is confirmed, except for a very localized part of Russia[8]. The results of different analysis centers confirm the expected high level of accuracy, with a standard deviation of 1-2 cm[9]. Modern and quality-controlled gravity surveys are a prerequisite for modeling the geoid accurately[10].
The grid has been acknowledged by the Baltic Sea Hydrographic Commission and is recommended for adoption as the height reference surface for hydrography and navigation in the Baltic Sea[11]. However, specific details about the current status of BSCD2000 implementation in the Russian part of the Gulf of Finland are not mentioned in the available sources[5]. For precise information on this area, it would be necessary to consult the national charting authorities or specific hydrographic offices responsible for the region.
The national geoid model for Poland (PL-geoid-2021) is available as open data under the CC-BY 4.0 license[12]. Information for GNSS/leveling data of Poland is hosted at the ASG-EUPOS reference stations website[13]. The first BSCD2000 height transformation grid has been computed and is now ready for release[14].
For more information about the BalMarGrav project, which contributed to the development of the BSCD2000, visit https://interreg-baltic.eu/project/balmargrav/. The BSCD2000 height transformation grid is available for download from the BSCD2000 website via the DOI link: https://doi.org/10.58440/iho-bscd2000[7].
[1] Baltic Sea Hydrographic Commission [2] BSCD2000 Project [3] European Union's INTERREG Baltic Sea Region Programme [4] BSCD2000 Technical Documentation [5] Current status of BSCD2000 implementation in the Russian part of the Gulf of Finland [6] FAMOS Project [7] BSCD2000 Data Download [8] BSCD2000 Compliance with Accuracy Requirements [9] BSCD2000 Analysis Results [10] Gravity Surveys for Accurate Geoid Modeling [11] BSCD2000 Acknowledged by Baltic Sea Hydrographic Commission [12] PL-geoid-2021 Open Data [13] ASG-EUPOS Reference Stations [14] First BSCD2000 Height Transformation Grid
Science plays a crucial role in addressing climate change, as evident in the development of the Baltic Sea Chart Datum 2000 (BSCD2000). This environmental-science project, involving data-and-cloud-computing technologies, aims to standardize charting in the Baltic Sea region and adopt national realizations of the European Vertical Reference System (EVRS). The technology utilized in the BSCD2000 includes modern and quality-controlled gravity surveys, which are essential for modeling the geoid accurately.
