Spatial modeling and analysis of nearshore environment using Open source GIS

Helena Mitasova

Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences North Carolina State University Raleigh NC
email: hmitaso@unity.ncsu.edu

Coastal studies involve processing, analysis and visualization of large spatial data sets, often in different computational environments, coordinate systems and formats. Geographic Information System (GIS) as a tool for management of georeferenced data, is a natural choice for integration of these heterogeneous data. However, the traditional concept of a 2D static GIS is not sufficient and extension of GIS capabilities is needed. Recent developments in Open Source GIS as well as the industry-wide moves towards open, extendable GIS created opportunities to enhance and develop new tools suitable for coastal applications.

The presentation will focus on evaluation and enhancements of Open source GIS methods and tools for

Multivariate Regularized Spline with Tension has been developed as a spatial interpolation method with special focus on simultaneous topographic analysis. Its design supports processing of large data sets, as well as processing of noisy data using spatially variable smoothing parameters. Surface geometry analysis can be performed at various levels of detail.

Visualization with interactive analysis of measured data and models, using multiple surfaces, cutting planes, lighting and spatial query provides powerful tools for gaining better understanding of measured data and studied phenomena.

Besides more traditional methods, path sampling is emerging as one of the promising approaches for modeling of transport of suspended solids, such as sediment and pollutants. The results of our experience with spatial modeling of surface hydrology and overland flow erosion, using path sampling method and link to GIS for visualization of the results will be presented and possible coastal applications will be discussed

The Open source GIS tools will be illustrated by applications to LIDAR data, Real Time Kinematic Survey and other types of coastal data.

Jockey's Ridge interpolated by RST from LIDAR (data from ...NOAA)