<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE article  PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD Journal Publishing DTD v3.0 20080202//EN" "http://dtd.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/3.0/journalpublishing3.dtd"><article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="3.0" xml:lang="en" article-type="research article"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">OALibJ</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title>Open Access Library Journal</journal-title></journal-title-group><issn pub-type="epub">2333-9705</issn><publisher><publisher-name>Scientific Research Publishing</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.4236/oalib.1105656</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">OALibJ-94529</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="heading"><subject>Articles</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="Discipline-v2"><subject>Biomedical&amp;Life Sciences</subject><subject> Business&amp;Economics</subject><subject> Chemistry&amp;Materials Science</subject><subject> Computer Science&amp;Communications</subject><subject> Earth&amp;Environmental Sciences</subject><subject> Engineering</subject><subject> Medicine&amp;Healthcare</subject><subject> Physics&amp;Mathematics</subject><subject> Social Sciences&amp;Humanities</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title>
 
 
  Relative Spatial Accuracy Evaluation of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mapping (SRTM15 V2.0) Dataset on the Cameroon Continental Shelf
 
</article-title></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Jean</surname><given-names>Megope Foonde</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sub>1</sub></xref></contrib></contrib-group><aff id="aff1"><label>1</label><addr-line>Department of Geography, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, USA</addr-line></aff><pub-date pub-type="epub"><day>02</day><month>08</month><year>2019</year></pub-date><volume>06</volume><issue>08</issue><fpage>1</fpage><lpage>21</lpage><history><date date-type="received"><day>31,</day>	<month>July</month>	<year>2019</year></date><date date-type="rev-recd"><day>19,</day>	<month>August</month>	<year>2019</year>	</date><date date-type="accepted"><day>22,</day>	<month>August</month>	<year>2019</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement>&#169; Copyright  2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. </copyright-statement><copyright-year>2014</copyright-year><license><license-p>This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</license-p></license></permissions><abstract><p>
 
 
  This s
  tudy presents a comparison between two bathymetric datasets covering the continental shelf of Cameroon. One of these datasets, Campus Cameroun, is based on a specific single-beam echosounder survey used in an authoritative study. The other is an excerpt of the SRTM15 V2.0,—free and open Global Bathymetry and Elevation Data model which provides background information for Google Earth, Google Maps, etc.—whose ocean bathymetry is based on a combination of satellite altimetry and echosounder data compiled from various sources. In the absence of multibeam bathymetric data for this area, this article assesses the local performance of the SRTM15 V2.0 by evaluating its relative positional accuracy with the Campus Cameroun bathymetric dataset, its completeness and, therefore, determines its suitability for geomorphological studies.
 
</p></abstract><kwd-group><kwd>Accuracy</kwd><kwd> Bathymetry</kwd><kwd> Campus Cameroun</kwd><kwd> Continental Shelf</kwd><kwd>  Error Distance</kwd><kwd> Global Terrain Model</kwd><kwd> Isobaths</kwd><kwd> Positional Accuracy</kwd><kwd>  Satellite Altimetry</kwd><kwd> SRTM15   V2.0</kwd></kwd-group></article-meta></front><body><sec id="s1"><title>1. Introduction</title><p>Bathymetry is important to the understanding of the ocean’s hydrological, geological, and geophysical processes [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref1">1</xref>] . Unlike spot elevations which are assigned to position or features that are easily identifiable, water depth measurements are not benchmarked. This makes accuracy and precision of bottom elevations a constant concern and, consequently, a key requirement for ocean study, exploitation, and delimitation [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref2">2</xref>] - [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref8">8</xref>] . Despite the progress made in data collection and manipulation, bathymetry still suffers from problems due to instrumental, methodological, and human deficiencies resulting in inaccurate or imprecise representation. That is why scrutinizing bathymetric datasets and derived products (maps, 3D representation) is very important, as flaws can influence the outcome of any research and, if not evaluated or corrected, could nullify the results of a spatial analysis. From this perspective, what is the accuracy of SRTM15 + V2.0, a Global Bathymetry and Elevation Data model, on the Cameroon Continental PlateForme?</p><p>Maritime surveys are expensive. This certainly explains why Cameroon has conducted only two major scientific surveys on its maritime territory in its development efforts since 1960. The first goes back to 1962 [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref9">9</xref>] . Despite many imprecisions, it served as the basis for the few studies conducted on the maritime Cameroon until the nineties. The more recent, Campus Cameroun, a high-resolution and accuracy Single Beam Echo Sounders (SBES) survey, took place between 1990 and 1993. Its outcome was the edition in 1996 of the Carte s&#233;dimentologique du plateau continental du Cameroun [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref10">10</xref>] widely used since then. This lack of up-to-date and detailed data whose consequences are a low national scientific production relative to the oceanic environment -explains the interest of evaluating the other available data sources like SRTM15 + V2.0 as they may serve as reliable alternative.</p><p>SRTM15 + V2.0 is the latest (2019) of a stack of eponymous Global Terrain Models (GTM) that have gone through a series of improvements and enrichments since its inception. This evolution was in response to issues identified about its performance in shallow waters where features are discreet [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref11">11</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref12">12</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref13">13</xref>] . Particular concerns been raised in areas where high-quality bathymetry data were non-existent or unavailable as it’s the case here.</p><p>To determine the suitability for use in geomorphological studies, this paper aims to assess the spatial accuracy of the SRTM15 + V2.0 for the Cameroon’s continental shelf because―despite the tools and precautions used in their development―global DBMs are not error free [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref14">14</xref>] - [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref19">19</xref>] . To get the measure of these inaccuracies, various methodologies have been developed [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref20">20</xref>] . These methodologies all have a common element―they are based on the distance theorem. That is the reason the measure chosen for this evaluation is the error distance with Campus Cameroun. Obtained through GIS proximity tools, this error measurement will help quantify and qualify the relative positional accuracy of SRTM15 + V2.0.</p></sec><sec id="s2"><title>2. Study Area</title><p>The area covered by this research is Cameroon’s the 13,062 km<sup>2</sup> continental shelf. It lies under the shallow water of the Bight of Bonny (Gulf of Guinea) in the east-central Atlantic Ocean. With the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL) as its center axis, this area is bounded between 2˚20'N-4˚40'N and 8˚0'E-10˚0'E in a S-NNW orientation (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>).</p><p>With the bathymetric data available, it has been established in broad outlines that From the Rio del Rey area in the North-West to the Ntem outlet in the south, The Cameroon Continental Shelf displays a slightly variable topography where, from the shore to the break occurring here at around −100 m, the seafloor made of mud dominant sediment consist of a flat terrace with slope oscillating between 0.2% and 0.5%.</p></sec><sec id="s3"><title>3. Related Works</title><p>The accuracy of freely available GTM such as ASTER, GEODATA, SRTM stacks,</p><p>is a constant concern for the scientific community. All around the world research is conducted to evaluate their closeness [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref21">21</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref22">22</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref23">23</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref24">24</xref>] . A review of literature reveals that most of these studies are focused on the vertical accuracy of the models on emerged territories or are comparison of their respective resolutions. This accuracy of the height measurements is established by reference to GPS control points or the geoid. The recent publication of Yap et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref25">25</xref>] on Cameroon is part of this trend. This work credited SRTM 1 with a 13.25 m Root Mean Square error (RMSE) and 7.41 m Median Absolute vertical error distance over the landmass, a 15.12 m and 2.86 m RMSE and Median vertical error distance near water bodies. Although this research offers a strong insight, its results can’t automatically (or without verification) be extended to the maritime domain data which collection responds to a different paradigm. Also, in contrast to the above-mentioned work, and due to the specificity of the area of interest, the evaluation of SRTM15 + V2.0 will not be based on a triangulation from the ground truth control points but rather on a comparison with Campus Cameroun a database acquired differently. This work constitutes the first genuine attempt to assess the bathymetric accuracy of SRTM15 + V2.0 for Cameroon.</p></sec><sec id="s4"><title>4. Data Sources</title><p>The present study is based on a relative comparison of the SRTM15 + V2.0, a dataset from a world renown reference source of data derived from a compilation of satellites survey (SDB) and soundings (SBES) with a SBES dataset collected during the Campus Cameroun survey serving as “ground-truth”.</p><sec id="s4_1"><title>4.1. Campus Cameroun</title><p>Efforts to chart Cameroon’s waters go back to 1962, when the platform Ombango surveyed Cameroon’s continental shelf. The bathymetric data collected during that expedition were used to draw the map known as Fonds de p&#234;che le long des c&#244;tes de la R&#233;publique F&#233;d&#233;rale du Cameroun [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref9">9</xref>] . Although―in comparison to the Cameroon Fernando-Po (5380) map based on bathymetric surveys published on old charts (S.H.M., 1910)―this 1964 map gave a valid general representation of the Cameroon continental shelf, it was plagued with numerous inaccuracies and imprecisions. These errors increase away from the coastline and the remarkable landmarks, especially when depths exceeded 50 meters. This lack of precision and vagueness was attributed to three deficiencies of the l’Ombango: the sonar which was a fish finder thus not suitable for mapping sampling; uneven navigational control (fuzzy road, inconsistency in vessel speed); incorrect positions (errors were likely to reach 2 miles) on the outer shelf especially due to the dead reckoning and the sextant positioning techniques used then, as well as the radial and diagonals spacing of the survey that leaves large areas not covered.</p><p>From 1990 to 1993, the Campus Cameroun survey was conducted on board of the R/V Andre Nizery with the goal to correct the 1964 map. For localization the Andre Nizery was equipped with a GPS receiver authorizing a &#177;80 metrical range accuracy (random error of a GPS system during 1990 era) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref26">26</xref>] . During this exploration as bathometer, both a single beam Simrad EK 38 sounder and a seismic reflection SPARKER (100 - 1000 joules) device equipped with a graphic recorder 4600 - 3200 EPCI were used. Their vertical accuracy was typically &#177; 1 m. Following an itinerary and scientific recommendations established to maximize both coverage and efficiency, more than fifteen hundred bathymetric data (XYZ) were collected across the continental shelf of Cameroon following less spaced radials (≈1.5 km) and diagonals (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>). Therefore, in comparison to the 1962 data, the Campus Cameroun survey was more densified and, the positioning more precise. The 1550 Campus Cameroun’s datapoints used in this work are the same that were used for the Carte s&#233;dimentologique du plateau continental du Cameroun (1996), a set of three maps depicting isobaths with an equidistance of 10 m. It is the most recent single-beam survey dataset of the study area [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref10">10</xref>] .</p></sec><sec id="s4_2"><title>4.2. SRTM15 + V2.0</title><p>The SRTM15 + V2.0 dataset used in this comparison is an extract of the SRTM15 + V2.0, 15 arc-second grid in ASCII XYZ-format downloaded from the website of The Scripps Institution of Oceanography on April 18, 2019 [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref27">27</xref>] and sifted by attribute querying to remove values over land and non-coastal waters deeper than −400 m (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>). SRTM15 + V2.0 has an ocean topography data grid (DBM) made of satellites estimated seafloor topography and soundings data with a resolution of 15 arc-second (approximately 30 meters), registered to the WGS 84 common horizontal datum and a vertical datum established at sea level [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref28">28</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref29">29</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref30">30</xref>] . Numerous global terrain models now available are based on SRTM15 + V2.0 for the bathymetry or modeled similarly. Notable among these are Google Earth and Google Map. Since SRTM15 + V2.0 provides backend data information to numerous global terrain models, the results of its evaluation can be extended subsequently to them even though many of these models are already superseded.</p><p>Despite constant improvements [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref31">31</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref32">32</xref>] , the resolution, quality, and overall accuracy of the SRTM stack and, therefore, of SRTM15 + V2.0 for the coastal and shallow oceanic regions still creates some concern and explains why in areas of intense survey, models have been developed to correct imprecisions and inaccuracies Obviously, it is not yet the case for Cameroon’s waters.</p></sec></sec><sec id="s5"><title>5. Methodology</title><p>Bathymetric data are made of three measurements: x, y for location (position), and z for underwater bottom elevation [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref33">33</xref>] . Although position and elevation are independent measurements with independent accuracies, they are intrinsically linked in determining the accuracy of a bathymetric data. Errors in horizontal positional accuracy may also induce vertical errors. Therefore, any effort to compare different surveys made over the same presumed point must consider potential inaccuracies in three dimensions [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref34">34</xref>] . This is the reason why error, which encompasses both the imprecision of data and its inaccuracy, is often of great concern in marine geography.</p><p>Although they undergo an extensive quality control before their release, bathymetric datasets can still contain connate errors (which are embedded into the data and are related to the materials, the techniques used to collect those data) or, external factors errors (generated by the choice of data manipulation procedures) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref35">35</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref36">36</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref37">37</xref>] . Inaccuracy is the consequences of these errors. Since it is cumbersome to verify each measured depth, accuracy assessment of underwater data can only be determined through statistical estimation, quantitative comparisons, and visual appreciation [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref38">38</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref39">39</xref>] .</p><p>Spatial data can be evaluated for the accuracy of their position, geometry, and topology. The scope of this paper is limited to the positional and completeness assessment of SRTM15 + V2.0.</p><p>Positional accuracy is the quantifiable value that represents the distance difference (error distance) between a geospatial feature and the reality (absolute) or between two geospatial features (relative) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref40">40</xref>] . Due to the nature of the field which makes direct verification difficult, this work is based on dataset comparison for relative positional accuracy between Campus Cameroun and SRTM15 + V2.0. The drawback of the relative approach for underwater datasets comparison is that in the absence of ground control, the assessment of datasets similarity or dissimilarity is ambiguous. It should be noted that compared to Campus Cameroun, SRTM15 + V2.0 is a more densified full-coverage terrain model. As a result, this comparison is not commutative [(Campus Cameroun, SRTM15 + V2.0) ≠ (SRTM15 + V2.0, Campus Cameroun)] as the sampling was limited to the Campus Cameroun datapoints.</p><p>Using statistical and GIS tools [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref41">41</xref>] , Campus Cameroun and SRTM15 + V2.0 were evaluated for their agreement through distance-based metrics and measures derived from datapoint coordinates sifting and surface analysis.</p><p>The first operation was to find the correlation based on exact coordinates match (intersection). For this purpose, all the data points with their attributes organized in named datasets spreadsheet were loaded into a MS SQL Server and sifted through to look for similarity. Based on their position coordinates attributes (longitude and latitude), no points of intersection was established between Campus Cameroun and the SRTM15 + V2.0. This validated the independence between surveys and indicated that Campus Cameroun data where not integrated into SRTM15 + V2.0.</p><p>The second operation made necessary by the result of the first one (no intersection points), was intended to capture the error Distance between Campus Cameroun and SRTM15 + V2.0. For that, two surface models based on Natural Neighbor Inverse Distance Weighted Interpolation (NNIDW) of depths (NNIDW Interpolation Spatial Analysis) were created (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref>). There is no optimal interpolation method. It is well known that each technique has different sensitivity to errors and that the quality of DBMs can be improved when making the appropriate choice of interpolator [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref42">42</xref>] . Since the choice of interpolator depends on the type of data and the spatial arrangement of the samples [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref43">43</xref>] , the NNIDW interpolation method was preferred because it returns a moderate RMSE. From these DBMs three representative cross sections (Interpolate line 3-D Analysis-ArcMap, (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref>) and two isobaths sets (contour-surface analysis-spatial analysis-ArcMap) with contour lines at interval −10, −20, −30, −40, −50, −60, −70, −80, −90, −100, −110, ?120 and −200 were generated (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref>). These profiles and derived isobaths provided the means for a quantitative and qualitative comparison.</p><p>The vertical difference between the DEM clearly visible through the profiles was assess after extracting the cell values of the SRTM15 + V2.0 raster corresponding to the point features of Campus Cameroun. (Extract Values to Points Spatial Analyst-ArcMap). For consistency and to avoid bugs created by outliers, the sample was limited to a maximum depth difference threshold equal or superior to −120 m (approximate break depth) and a CTE (Common <xref ref-type="table" rid="table">Table </xref>Expression) was used to remove duplicates. The final sample turns out to 1523 records. The height accuracy was then estimated on basis of the depth difference between SRTM15 + V2.0 data points and the Campus Cameroun corresponding values. These relative vertical measured errors were aggregated to find the RMSE, the Mean, Median and other parameters that quantify the vertical difference between Campus Cameroun and SRTM15 + V2.0.</p><p>Although they are interpolations of underlying data plagued by a process called terracing with accuracy subject to interpretation due to their inherent uncertainty, isobaths were used to evaluate the horizontal displacement [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref44">44</xref>] (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref>). The error measurements were obtained by generating control points on Campus Cameroun isobaths (Data Management-Sampling ArcMap) and using them to establish the geodesic distance (point to line) to the nearest or closest SRTM15 + V2.0 comparing isobath using the Near (Proximity-Analysis tool</p><p>ArcMap). On the grounds of the Waldo Tobler law [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref45">45</xref>] on spatial dependence and spatial autocorrelation which stated that “everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things”, of the 593 points obtained, and to prevent analysis errors, 586 were chosen for being at a distance inferior or equal to 2000 m from the nearest SRTM15 + V2.0 isobath (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref>). As with the ArcGIS Data Reviewer Positional Accuracy Assessment Tool (PAAT), the relative horizontal error distances obtained were used to determine variables such as the Mean, the Median and their derived parameters (such as the RMSE, the three-sigma threshold and the confidence interval), which all help to quantitatively assess the horizontal variance between Campus Cameroun and SRTM15 + V2.0.</p><p>The level of shape matching between Campus Cameroun and SRTM15 + V2.0 isobaths was statistically quantified (sinuosity index) by running a relate python script via ArcGIS Field Calculator [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref46">46</xref>] .</p><p>Finally, the superimposition of isobaths on Google Earth allows a Visual analysis [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref47">47</xref>] .</p></sec><sec id="s6"><title>6. Results and Analyses</title><sec id="s6_1"><title>6.1. Vertical Accuracy</title><p>If the below cross sections of the Cameroon continental shelf from interpolated Campus Cameroun and SRTM15 + V2.0 DBM show an overall similar appearance, in detail vertical disparities are noticeable. At a glance, one can notice that (except in some few points) Campus Cameroun is deeper than SRTM15 + V2.0. In the Rio del rey and Sanaga sections the depth difference is bigger than in the Lolabe section. Also, the depth difference in general is higher on the outer area of the shelf (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref>). A thorough scrutiny of depth difference reveals that of the 1523 sample points, 1129 (74.13%) of Campus Cameroun are deeper than on SRTM15 + V2.0.</p><p>The variable values of depth difference between Campus Cameroun and the SRTM15 + V2.0 obtained from the extraction of the points coordinates (<xref ref-type="table" rid="table">Table </xref>1) provide a summary description of the correlation between these datasets. It is well known, as demonstrated in <xref ref-type="table" rid="table">Table </xref>1 that outliers (three sigma) degrade data accuracy. To reduce their influence on statistical analysis, they were removed from the raw data.</p><p>Complementing the above values, the underlying density distribution of depths (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>) provides a comprehensive graphical view of the goodness-of-fit between these datasets. The Skew index at 2.92 denotes a highly skewed distribution with a heavy-tails that is translated in a Kurtosis index of 12.60. This Leptokurtic distribution is the consequence of the high variance between data in the outer area of the continental shelf.</p><p>The correlation coefficient of 0.95 between Campus Cameroun depths and SRTM15 + V2.0 depths denotes a strong positive linear relationship (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig7">Figure 7</xref>) which is reflected in the similarity of profiles shape. As depth increases, so do the depth difference (<xref ref-type="table" rid="table">Table </xref>2).</p><p>The median relative vertical distance between Campus Cameroun and SRTM15 + V2.0 is established at 2.46 m. For Yap et al., the median vertical error distance near water bodies is 2.86 m.</p></sec><sec id="s6_2"><title>6.2. Horizontal Accuracy</title><p>Despite the similarity of the profiles, the non-positional alignment of the forms such as the ledge near the break on the Sanaga profile or the inflexion circa −60 m in Rio del rey section, hint of a slip or a horizontal displacement.</p><p>The measures of the relative positional distance between Campus Cameroun and SRTM15 + V2.0 from the isobaths (<xref ref-type="table" rid="table">Table </xref>3) also bear some important indications (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig8">Figure 8</xref>).</p><table-wrap id="table1" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table">Table </xref>1</label><caption><title> Variables of depth difference between Campus Cameroun and SRTM15 + V2.0</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Variable</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Raw Value</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Value after Outliers removed</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Sample count</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1523</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1490</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Min Depth Difference (m)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Max Depth Difference (m)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >257.53</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >94.15</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Mode Depth Difference</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.0</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.0</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Mean Depth Difference (m)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >9.53</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6.11</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Median Depth Difference (m)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.57</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.46</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >95% DD confidence interval</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >8.10, 10.96</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.34, 6.89</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >RMSE</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >30.01</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >16.48</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Standard Deviation</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >28.46</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15.31</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Three sigma</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >−75.85, 94.93</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >NA</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Correlation coefficient</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.90</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.95</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >kurtosis</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >29.72</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.60</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >skewness</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.90</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.92</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><table-wrap id="table2" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table">Table </xref>2</label><caption><title> Depth difference values between Campus Cameroun and SRTM15 + V2.0 by depths</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >By depth</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Min depth difference (m)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Max depth difference (m)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Mean depth difference (m)</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0 - 10</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >7.15</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.13</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >11 - 20</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >10.83</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.93</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >21 - 30</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >54.97</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.85</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >31 - 40</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >17.88</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.79</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >41 - 50</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >51.42</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.01</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >51 - 60</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.02</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >26.13</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.81</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >61 - 70</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >46.40</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6.63</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >71 - 80</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >28.73</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >7.08</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >81 - 90</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.12</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >27.28</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >7.49</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >91 - 100</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.24</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >21.23</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6.22</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >101 - 110</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.09</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >37.02</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >8.34</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >111 - 120</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.15</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >38.90</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >9.91</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><table-wrap id="table3" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table">Table </xref>3</label><caption><title> Linear distance statistical values between Campus Cameroun and SRTM15 + V2.0</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Variable</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Raw Value</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Value after outliers removed</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Sample count</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >593</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >586</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Minimum Distance (m)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.10</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.10</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Maximum Distance (m)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4508.01</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2565.50</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Mean Distance (m)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >694.54</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >663.21</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Median Distance (m)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >504.09</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >499.27</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Mode Distance (m)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.10</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.10</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >RMSE</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >939.01</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >869.50</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Standard Deviation</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >632.48</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >562.78</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Correlation coefficient</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.18</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.15</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >kurtosis</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.18</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.90</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >skewness</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.70</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.18</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Three sigma</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >−1202.89, 2591.99</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >NA</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >95% confidence-interval</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >643.53, 745.55</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >617.55, 708.87</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p>With a skew index of 1.18 and a kurtosis index of 0.90, the linear distance distribution between SRTM15 + V2.0 and Campus Cameroun is platykurtic because of its thin tails that denote a constancy in the displacement regardless of the depths and fewer extreme values as shown in the correlation <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig9">Figure 9</xref>. The 0.15 Pearson’s coefficient for the correlation between the linear distance and the depths between Campus Cameroun and the SRTM15 + V2.0 indicates a non-linear to very weak linear relationship (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig9">Figure 9</xref>).</p><p>As one can notice in the <xref ref-type="table" rid="table">Table </xref>3 and <xref ref-type="table" rid="table">Table </xref>4, the relative positional accuracy between Campus Cameroun and SRTM15 + V2.0 is not depth dependent. There is no correlation between linear distance, depth difference and depth even though the mean depth difference increases as depth increases (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>0).</p><p>Geographically, there is no established trend or pattern for the distribution of the linear distance between Campus Cameroun and SRTM15 + V2.0.</p><p>The conclusion is that the horizontal relative displacement distance between Campus Cameroun and SRTM15 + V2.0 is linearly 499.27 m (median). A similar shift (500 m approximatively) in ETOPO 2 and GEBCO 14 was attributed to a mislocation or misregistration of the grids [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref48">48</xref>] .</p></sec><sec id="s6_3"><title>6.3. Visual Analysis</title><p>Visual appreciation and comparison of the isobaths that the <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>1 renders possible shows that SRTM15 + V2.0 is generally reproducing the same sinuosity and respect the same overall orientation of Campus Cameroun even though it contains some artifacts. The two datasets are topologically consistent even if they do not fit each other in terms of position. General morphologic characteristics are similar for both datasets. However, there are some significant elements to acknowledge. When scrutinizing the overlaid map, it clearly appears that SRTM15 + V2.0 is in latitude and longitude shifted northward and eastward of the Campus Cameroun. The perceptible signs of this northward displacement can be observed in the Rio del rey area. The landward shift (eastward) is clearly noticeable in the meridional portion of the Cameroon continental shelf where SRTM15 + V2.0 isobaths are East of their corresponding reference’s isobaths.</p><p>When it comes to isobaths shape matching, although depth contour of SRTM15 + V2.0 shows patterns like those of Campus Cameroun, the isobaths derived from SRTM15 + V2.0 with a mean sinuosity index of 0.43, a standard deviation of 0.17 and a RSME of 0.66 are more sinuous and smoother than those extracted from Campus Cameroun whose mean sinuosity index is 0.59, standard deviation 0.65 and RSME 0.77. This is the translation of SRTM15 + V2.0 being more detailed data wise (tighter mesh) than Campus Cameroun.</p><p>With the increasing interest in coastal monitoring and research, and because it is highly demanding and costly, nearshore bathymetry is also often scrutinized when judging the accuracy of Bathymetric model based on remote sensing techniques. Although the Global Self-consistent, Hierarchical, High-resolution Shoreline (GSHHS) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref48">48</xref>] was used to assess the integration of topography and bathymetry, SRTM15 + V2.0, because of the positional displacement mentioned beyond, contains a numerous artifacts in the near shore with depth less than −10 m. For that reason, the transition with the continent is questionable, especially between the mouth of the Sanaga river and Kribi. It should be noted that there is a need for valuable information on this part of the studied area because it was not surveyed during Campus Cameroun due to the presence of numerous shoals and the height of the boat draft.</p><table-wrap id="table4" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table">Table </xref>4</label><caption><title> Measures and metrics from Near Neighbour (QGIS) spatial joins between Campus Cameroun and SRTM15 + V2.0 by depth</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Depth</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Mean Distance(m)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Mean depth difference (m)</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >0 - 10</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >954.63</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.19</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >11 - 20</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >994.57</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.93</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >21 - 30</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >980.14</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.85</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >31 - 40</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >981.51</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.79</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >41 - 50</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >940.42</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.01</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >51 - 60</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >950.87</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.81</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >61- 70</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >975.22</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6.63</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >71 - 80</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >987.87</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >7.08</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >81 - 90</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1011.40</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >7.49</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >91 - 100</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1005.57</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6.22</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >101 - 110</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1014.42</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >8.34</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >111 - 120</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1007.58</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >9.91</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p>Overlaying to Google imagery [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref49">49</xref>] , Campus Cameroun (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>2) and SRTM15 + V2.0 (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>3) shows their level of completeness. The close match of their features confirms that SRTM15 + V2.0 dataset is suitable for academic research purposes.</p></sec></sec><sec id="s7"><title>7. Discussion and Limitation</title><p>The different measures and metrics demonstrate that there is a horizontal displacement between Campus Cameroun and SRTM15 + V2.0 even though they show a higher accuracy level of conformity.</p><p>As noted, throughout this paper, SRTM15 + V2.0, relative horizontal positional inaccuracy is the result of a northward and eastward shift from Campus Cameroun. However, this positional inaccuracy did not alter the geomorphic consistency of this dataset since it achieves a higher degree of geometry fidelity as proven by the shape similarity of its isobaths with the reference.</p><p>Highly accurate datasets are the key for reliable results. The need for accuracy must be determined by the level of truthfulness expected. Excessive accuracy is costly and produces considerable unnecessary details [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref50">50</xref>] . Therefore, despite this horizontal accuracy issue, SRTM15 + V2.0 constitutes an important source of free and publicly available geographic information that can be confidently used in a broad geomorphological study of the continental shelf of Cameroon since currently there is not perfect dataset of the Cameroon’s seafloor.</p></sec><sec id="s8"><title>8. Conclusions</title><p>Through a comparative accuracy assessment, using a suite of measures, this study established that, as far as positional accuracy is concerned, there is an overall latitudinal northward and longitudinal eastward shift of SRTM15 + V2.0 to the Campus Cameroun which is the reference. The systemic consistency of this tilt―which is the main source of the positional inaccuracy―can be attributed to a misregistration. When it comes to their conformity to the underwater features, Campus Cameroun and SRTM15 + V2.0 both achieve a very high level of accuracy as their isobaths shape and sinuosity are similar in most of the area. Therefore, as a conclusion of this accuracy evaluation, SRTM15 + V2.0 is a complete and reliable alternate data source for geomorphological research on the Cameroon continental shelf.</p><p>Marine geomorphology is a poor relative of the Cameroon geomorphology. This paper provides a scientific rationale and limitations for using SRTM15 + V2.0 in its current stage of development for geomorphology research on the maritime Cameroon in the absence of newer option and while awaiting a possible multibeam survey. It must be borne in mind that detailed and accurate knowledge of the seabed is paramount to the development of the maritime territory [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.94529-ref51">51</xref>] .</p></sec><sec id="s9"><title>Acknowledgements</title><p>This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. I would like to sincerely thank Dr. Thomas Pingel (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), Pr Alexie Tcheuyap (University of Toronto), Pr. Etienne Lassi (University of Manitoba) and Engr. Nels Degn (Exelon) whose thoughtful recommendations and feedback greatly strengthened the manuscript.</p></sec><sec id="s10"><title>Conflicts of Interest</title><p>The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.</p></sec><sec id="s11"><title>Cite this paper</title><p>Foonde, J.M. (2019) Relative Spatial Accuracy Evaluation of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mapping (SRTM15 + V2.0) Dataset on the Cameroon Continental Shelf. Open Access Library Journal, 6: e5656. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1105656</p></sec></body><back><ref-list><title>References</title><ref id="scirp.94529-ref1"><label>1</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Smith, W.H.F. and Sandwell, D.T. (1997) Global Seafloor Topography from Satellite Altimetry and Ship Depth Soundings, Science, 277, 1957-1962. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.277.5334.1956</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref2"><label>2</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Laughton, A. and Shipman, S. (2000) Historical Methods of Depth Measurement. In: Continental Shelf Limits: The Scientific and Legal Interface, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 124-138.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref3"><label>3</label><mixed-citation publication-type="book" xlink:type="simple">Clarke, J.H. (2000) Present-Day Methods of Depth Measurement. In: Cook and Carleton, Eds., Continental Shelf Limits: The Scientific and Legal Interface, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 139-158.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref4"><label>4</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Byrnes, M.R., Baker, J.L. and Li, F. (2002) Quantifying Potential Measurement Errors and Uncertainties Associated with Bathymetric Change Analysis. ERDC/CHL CHETN-IV-50 September.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref5"><label>5</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Harris, P., Macmillan-Lawler, M., Rupp, J. and Baker, E. (2014) Geomorphology of the Oceans. Marine Geology, 352, 4-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2014.01.011</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref6"><label>6</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Jakobsson, M., Mayer, L. and Monahan, D. (2015) Arctic Ocean Bathymetry: A Necessary Geospatial Framework. Arctic, 68, 41-47. https://doi.org/10.14430/arctic4451</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref7"><label>7</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Monahan, D. (2015) Altimetry and the Law of the Sea Definition of the Continental Shelf. Global Bathymetry for Oceanography, Geophysics and Climatology. Altimetry and UNCLOS.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref8"><label>8</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Lecours, V., Dolan, M., Micallef, A. and Lucieer, V. (2016) A Review of Marine Geomorphometry, the Quantitative Study of the Seafloor. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 20, 3207-3244. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-3207-2016</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref9"><label>9</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Crosnier, A. (1964) Fonds de pêche le long des cotes de la République Fédérale du Cameroun, cahiers 0.r.s.t.o.m. océanographie n° spécial.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref10"><label>10</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Giresse, P., Megope Foonde, J., Ngueutchoua, G., Aloisi, J., Kuété, M. and Monteillet, J. (1996) Carte sédimentologique du plateau continental du Cameroun et notice explicative 111, Orstom, Paris.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref11"><label>11</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Katsuto, U. (2014) Compilation and Validation of Bathymetric Data for the South China Sea with an Emphasis on Shallow Region. Engineering Sciences Reports, Kyushu University, 35, 7-13.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref12"><label>12</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Marks, K.M. and Smith, W.H.F. (2006) An Evaluation of Publicly Available Global Bathymetry Grids. Marine Geophysical Researches, 27, 19-34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-005-2095-4</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref13"><label>13</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Ryan, W.B.F., Carbotte, S.M., Coplan, J.O., O’Hara, S., Melkonian, A., Arko, R., Weissel, R.A., Ferrini, V., Goodwillie, A., Nitsche, F.J., Bonczkowski, J. and Zemsky, R. (2009) Global Multi-Resolution Topography Synthesis. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 10, Q03014. https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GC002332</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref14"><label>14</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Congalton, R. (2001) Accuracy Assessment and Validation of Remotely Sensed and Other Spatial Information. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 10, 321-328. https://doi.org/10.1071/WF01031</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref15"><label>15</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Jakobsson, M., Calder, B. and Mayer, L. (2002) On the Effect of Random Errors in Gridded Bathymetric Compilations. Journal of Geophysical Research, 107, ETG 14-1-ETG 14-11. https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JB000616</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref16"><label>16</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Jakobsson, M., Armstrong, A., Calder, B., Huff, L., Mayer, L. and Ward, L. (2005) On the Use of Historical Bathymetric Data to Determine Changes in Bathymetry an Analysis of Errors and Application to Great Bay Estuary, NH. International Hydrographic Review, 6, 1-17.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref17"><label>17</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Pe’eri, S., et al. (2014) Satellite Remote Sensing as a Reconnaissance Tool for Assessing Nautical Chart Adequacy and Completeness. Marine Geodesy, 37, 293-314. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490419.2014.902880</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref18"><label>18</label><mixed-citation publication-type="book" xlink:type="simple">Harris, P. and Macmillan-Lawler, M. (2016) Global Overview of Continental Shelf Geomorphology Based on the SRTM30_PLUS 30-Arc Second Database. In: Finkle, C.W. and Makowski, C., Eds., Emerging Mapping Techniques for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), Springer, Berlin, 169-190. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25121-9_7</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref19"><label>19</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Olson, C.J., Becker, J.J. and Sandwell, D.T. (2016) SRTM15 PLUS: Data Fusion of Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) Land Topography with Measured and Estimated Seafloor Topography (NCEI Accession 0150537).</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref20"><label>20</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Ariza Lopez, F.J. and Atkinson Gordo, A.D. (2008) Analysis of Some Positional Accuracy Assessment Methodologies. Journal of Surveying Engineering, 134, 45-54.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref21"><label>21</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Nikolakopoulos, K.G., Kamaratakis, E.K. and Chrysoulakis, N. (2006) SRTM vs. ASTER Elevation Products. Comparison for Two Regions in Crete, Greece. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 27, 4819-4838. https://doi.org/10.1080/01431160600835853</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref22"><label>22</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Hirt, C., Filmer, M.S. and Featherstone, W.E. (2010) Comparison and Validation of Recent Freely-Available ASTER-GDEM ver1, SRTM ver4.1 and GEODATA DEM-9S ver3 Digital Elevation Models over Australia. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 57, 337-347. https://doi.org/10.1080/08120091003677553</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref23"><label>23</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Abramova, A. (2012) Comparison and Evaluation of Global Publicly Available Bathymetry Grids in the Arctic. University of New Hampshire, Durham, 150 p.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref24"><label>24</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Pulighe, G., Baiocchi, V. and Lupia, F. (2015) Horizontal Accuracy Assessment of Very High-Resolution Google Earth Images in the City of Rome, Italy. International Journal of Digital Earth, 9, 342-362. https://doi.org/10.1080/17538947.2015.1031716</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref25"><label>25</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Yap, L., Houetchak Kandé, L., Nouayou, R., Kamguia, J., Nasser Abdou Ngouh, N.A. and Makuate, M.B. (2018) Vertical Accuracy Evaluation of Freely Available Latest High-Resolution (30 m) Global Digital Elevation Models over Cameroon (Central Africa) with GPS/Leveling Ground Control Points. International Journal of Digital Earth, 12, 500-524. https://doi.org/10.1080/17538947.2018.1458163</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref26"><label>26</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Wells, D., Beck, N., Delikaraoglou, D., Kleusberg, A., Krakiwsky, E.J., Lachapelle, G., Langley, R.B., Nakiboglu, M., Schwarz, K.P., Tranquilla, J.M. and Vanicek, P. (1999) Guide to GPS Positioning. Canadian GPS Associates and University of New Brunswick, Fredericton.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref27"><label>27</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Scripps Institute of Oceanography (2019) Satellite Geodesy: Extract Topography from Global 15 Arc Second Grid in ASCII XYZ-Format SRTM15 + V2.0.https://topex.ucsd.edu/cgi-bin/get_srtm15.cgi</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref28"><label>28</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">NOAA (2007) Topographic and Bathymetric Data Considerations: Datums, Datum Conversion Techniques, and Data Integration, Part II of a Roadmap to a Seamless Topobathy Surface. Technical Report, NOAA/CSC/20718-PUB.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref29"><label>29</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Becker, J.J. and Sandwell, D.T. (2012) Development of Global Bathymetry and Topography at 15 Arc Seconds. American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref30"><label>30</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Tozer, B., Sandwell, D.T., Smith, W.H.F., Olson, C., Beale, J.R. and Wessel, P. (2019) Global Bathymetry and Topography at 15 Arc Seconds: SRTM15. Earth and Space Science. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019EA000658</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref31"><label>31</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Smith, W.H.F. (1993) On the Accuracy of Digital Bathymetry Data. Journal of Geophysical Research, 98, 9591-9603. https://doi.org/10.1029/93JB00716</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref32"><label>32</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Amante, C. and Eakins, B.W. (2009) ETOPO1 1 Arc-Minute Global Relief Model: Procedures, Data Sources and Analysis. NOAA Technical Memorandum NESDIS, NGDC-24, 19 p.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref33"><label>33</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Goodchild, M.F. and Gopal, S. (1989) The Accuracy of Spatial Databases. Taylor and Francis, London, 290 p.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref34"><label>34</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Becker, J.J., Sandwell, D.T., Smith, W.H.F., Braud, J. , Binder, B., Depner, J., Fabre, D., Factor, J., Ingalls, S., Kim, S.-H., Ladner, R., Marks, K., Nelson, S., Pharaoh, A., Sharman, G., Trimmer, R., Rosenburg, J.V., Wallace, G. and Weatherall, P. (2009) Global Bathymetry and Elevation Data at 30 Arc Seconds Resolution: SRTM15 + V2.0. Marine Geodesy, 32, 355-371. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490410903297766</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref35"><label>35</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Zhang, J. and Goodchild, M.F. (2002) Uncertainty in Geographical Information. CRC Press, Boca Raton. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203471326</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref36"><label>36</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Jakobsson, M., Calder, B. and Mayer, L. (2002) On the Effect of Random Errors in Gridded Bathymetric Compilations. Journal of Geophysical Research, 107, 2358. https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JB000616</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref37"><label>37</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Weatherall, P., Marks, K.M., Jakobsson, M., Schmitt, T., Tani, S., Arndt, J.E., Rovere, M., Chayes, D., Vicki Ferrini, V. and Wigley, R. (2015) A New Digital Bathymetric Model of the World’s Oceans. Earth and Space Science, 2, 331-345. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015EA000107</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref38"><label>38</label><mixed-citation publication-type="journal" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Thapa</surname><given-names> K. </given-names></name>,<etal>et al</etal>. (<year>1992</year>)<article-title>Accuracy of Spatial Data Used in Information Geographic Systems</article-title><source> Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing</source><volume> 58</volume>,<fpage> 835</fpage>-<lpage>841</lpage>.<pub-id pub-id-type="doi"></pub-id></mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref39"><label>39</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Robinson, T.P. and Metternicht, G. (2006) Testing the Performance of Spatial Interpolation Techniques for Mapping Soil Properties. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 50, 97-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2005.07.003</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref40"><label>40</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Burroughs, P.A. (1986) Principles of Geographical Information Systems for Land Resources Assessment. Clarendon Press, Oxford.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref41"><label>41</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Longley, P., Goodchild, M., Maguire, D. and Rhind, D. (2015) Geographic Information Science and Systems. 4th Edition, Wiley, Hoboken.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref42"><label>42</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Li, J. and Heap, A.D. (2011) A Review of Comparative Studies of Spatial Interpolation Methods in Environmental Sciences: Performance and Impact Factors. Ecological Informatics, 6, 228-241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoinf.2010.12.003</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref43"><label>43</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Siljeg, A., Lozic, S. and Siljeg, S. (2015) A Comparison of Interpolation Methods on the Basis of Data Obtained from a Bathymetric Survey of Lake Vrana, Croatia. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 19, 3653-3666. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-3653-2015</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref44"><label>44</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Jakobsson, M., Calder, B., Mayer, L. and Armstrong, A. (2006) The Uncertainty of a Bathymetric Contour: Implications for the Cut-Off Line. Accuracies and Uncertainties in Maritime Boundaries and Outer Limits, ABLOS Conference [CD-ROM], Int. Hydrol. Bur., Monaco, 2001. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.365.1000&amp;rep=rep1&amp;type=pdf</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref45"><label>45</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Tobler, W.R. (1970) A Computer Movie Simulating Urban Growth in the Detroit Region. Economic Geography, 46, 234-240. https://doi.org/10.2307/143141</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref46"><label>46</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Anderson, D., Ames, D. and Yang, P. (2014) Quantitative Methods for Comparing Different Polyline Stream Network Models. Journal of Geographic Information System, 6, 88-98. https://doi.org/10.4236/jgis.2014.62010</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref47"><label>47</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Marks, K.M., Smith, W.H.F. and Sandwell, D.T. (2010) Evolution of Errors in the Altimetry Bathymetry Model Used by Google Earth and GEBCO. Marine Geophysical Research, 31, 223-238. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-010-9102-0</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref48"><label>48</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Wessel, P. and Smith, W.H.F. (1996) A Global, Self-Consistent, Hierarchical, High-Resolution Shoreline Database. Journal of Geophysical Research, 101, 8741-8743. https://doi.org/10.1029/96JB00104</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref49"><label>49</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Google Earth Pro, V 7.3.2.5776, Image Landsat/Copernicus, Data: SIO, NOAA, U.S. Navy, NGA, GEBCO, Image IBCAO, March 5, 2019. https://www.google.com/earth/</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref50"><label>50</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Wolfl, A.-C., Snaith, H., Amirebrahimi, S., Devey, C.W., Dorschel, B., Ferrini, V., Huvenne, V.A.I., Jakob-sson, M., Jencks, J., Johnston, G., Lamarche, G., Mayer, L., Millar, D., Pedersen, T.H., Picard, K., Reitz, A., Schmitt, T., Visbeck, M., Weatherall, P. and Wigley, R. (2019) Seafloor Mapping—The Challenge of a Truly Global Ocean Bathymetry. Frontiers in Marine Science, 6, 283. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2019.00283</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.94529-ref51"><label>51</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Wright, D.J. and Heyman, W.D. (2008) Introduction to the Special Issue: Marine and Coastal GIs for Geomorphology, Habitat Mapping, and Marine Reserves. Marine Geodesy, 31, 223-230. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490410802466306</mixed-citation></ref></ref-list></back></article>