Critical Sandpit Depth

General Information

North Sea

Baltic Sea

Clyde Marine Region

Adriatic Sea

Critical Sandpit Depth

Layer Info
Category	Management
Sub-category	Environmental Conditions
Editable	No

Description

The critical sandpit depth for stratification identifies the maximum depth at which sandpits may begin to experience thermal stratification. This occurs when deeper pits disrupt natural tidal mixing, leading to layers of water with different temperatures and limited oxygen exchange. Understanding these depth thresholds helps in sustainable marine sand extraction, minimizing ecological risks and preserving water quality.

MSP Challenge

In the MSP Challenge, the Critical Sandpit Depth for Stratification layer highlights depth thresholds where sandpits may disrupt natural water mixing, potentially causing stratification. While this layer is not editable, it provides crucial insights for players to assess environmental impacts and optimize sand extraction strategies while maintaining ecological balance.

Sand Extraction Edition

Types

• 0 - 5 m
• 5 - 7 m
• 7 - 9 m
• 9 - 11 m
• 11 - 13 m
• 13 - 15 m
• 15 - 20 m
• 20 - 25 m
• 25 - 30 m
• > 30 m

Metadata

Data Source

This layer was provided by partners from the ORELSE project.

Original Title

Critical Sandpit Depth for Stratification Map - Southern North Sea

Description

This dataset represents spatial distribution of critical sandpit depths (in meters) estimated for the onset of water column stratification across a model domain in the Southern North Sea. Output based on hydrodynamic simulations conducted in GETM.

Creation Date

04/2025

Methodology

The original file type was NetCDF.

1. Extracted lat, lon, critical_depth variables into csv through python script.
2. Csv to points, reprojected and cleaned data (empty points far outside study area)
3. Preformed TIN interpolation
4. Clipped raster to mask based on the extent of original points
5. Reclassified by table

Types

Baltic Sea types here

Metadata

Data Source

Enter data source for Baltic Sea here.

Original Title

Enter name of the layer at the Baltic Sea source.

Description

Enter the description of the Baltic Sea dataset here.

Creation Date

yyyy-mm-dd Baltic Sea

Methodology

Enter here how the layer was prepared to be integrated into the MSP Challenge Baltic Sea Edition.

Types

Clyde Marine Region types here

Metadata

Data Source

Enter data source for Clyde Marine Region here.

Original Title

Enter name of the layer at the Clyde Marine Region source.

Description

Enter the description of the Clyde Marine Region dataset here.

Creation Date

yyyy-mm-dd Clyde Marine Region

Methodology

Enter here how the layer was prepared to be integrated into the MSP Challenge Clyde Marine Region Edition.

Types

Adriatic Sea types here

Metadata

Data Source

Enter data source for Adriatic Sea here.

Original Title

Enter name of the layer at the Adriatic Sea source.

Description

Enter the description of the Adriatic Sea dataset here.

Creation Date

yyyy-mm-dd Adriatic Sea

Methodology

Enter here how the layer was prepared to be integrated into the MSP Challenge Adriatic Sea Edition.