A Comparison of Tidal Zoning Model for the Depth Reduction
Danar Guruh Pratomo
1
, Eko Yuli Handoko
1
and Duty Kendartiwastra
1
1
Geomatics Engineering Department, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Environment, and Geo-Engineering, Institut Teknologi
Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya, Indonesia
Keywords: Tidal Zoning, Tidal Constituent, Residual Interpolation
Abstract: Bathymetric information is essential for navigational purpose. The depth in navigational charts has to be
referred to a vertical datum with the intention of ships can navigate safely. Tide plays important rule in a depth
reduction in order to provide bathymetric information. Tidal characteristics are unique for any different places.
The tidal phase and amplitude propagation may cause difficulties in predicting water levels. The research
utilized Tidal Constituent and Residual Interpolation methods to estimate the tide propagation and to achieve
a smooth tidal zoning. Tidal constituents at each of observation point are calculated using the least squares
method and interpolated based on Laplace formula. The tidal zoning model that has been developed then was
compared to the Finite Element Solution 2014 Global Tide Model. The results show that the correlation
coefficient between those models is 0.78. Based on the research, the tidal zoning model can be used to improve
the global tide model.
1 INTRODUCTION
Seafloor information is important for supporting
marine activities (safety of navigation, demersal
fishing, offshore oil exploration and drilling, cable
and pipeline laying maintenance, and underwater
warfare). A depth measurement is the main activity to
determine the topography of the seabed. The
measured depth must be corrected by the tides so that
it refers to a chart datum. Corrected depths are the
basic information to generate a nautical chart. The
chart can also be utilized for a shipping safety and
construction of docks purposes. Due to the
importance of a chart datum in reducing depth, the
determination of the vertical datum must be
conducted accurately and precisely (Hellequin, et.al,
2003). The accuracy of a chart datum in a certain area
depends on the tide observation process and the
determination of tidal characteristics. The range
between tidal stations or between tidal station and
survey area may also affects the accuracy as it creates
a tide zonation. The determination of the tide zonation
can improve the accuracy of the tide correction for the
depth reductions.
The study discussed the simulation of a tidal
zoning using the TCARI (Tidal Constituent and
Residual Interpolation) approach. TCARI uses an
interpolation method from tide data at several tide
stations. The method applies Laplace equation to
simulate the tide on a weighted grid area model
(Cisternelli and Gill, 2005). Each point on grid has a
unique tide phase and amplitude which can be used to
predict the water level at a certain position and time.
The advantage of this approach is that the
discontinuities of the tide observation which occur in
the transition zone can be eliminated. The method can
separate the calculation of water level due to tidal and
non-tidal effects (weather and river discharge) and
can also display model uncertainty due to tidal datum,
astronomic, and water level uncertainty errors
(Cisternelli, et.al, 20017).
The research also examined the results of the tide
model from TCARI and the Finite Element Solution
2014 global tide model (FES2014). FES2014
represents tidal cycles across the globe. This model is
derived from several altimetry satellite missions
(Cancet, et.al, 2017). Based on the comparison
between these models, it is expected that tide model
from TCARI can improve the accuracy and the
resolution of the global tide model FES2014
especially on the coastal area.