Geodata Management Research Articles

Advancing geological modelling and geodata management: a web-based system with AI assessment in Singapore

ABSTRACT This paper outlines the development and deployment of the Geodata Modelling and Management System (GEM2S) in Singapore. GEM2S offers a sophisticated web-based platform for visualising and interacting with 3D geological models of Singapore. Beyond basic visualisation and interaction, GEM2S provides advanced features for geodata management, including the functionality to upload new borehole data with AI assessment and to integrate geophysical results. The paper begins by elucidating the data processing procedures, which involve extracting data from electronic site investigation records. Additionally, common data errors for cleaning and validation purposes are summarised. Subsequently, the paper presents the 3D geological modelling process and results. The architecture of the web-GIS geodata management system is detailed, outlining the data flow and functions for interactive queries. Furthermore, the paper investigates two AI-based prototypes for quality assessment of newly acquired borehole data. Incorporating virtual boreholes generated from the geophysics effectively enhances the quality of the resulting geological model. GEM2S can serve as a comprehensive and user-friendly platform, making it a valuable system for underground project design and a foundational database for future subsurface planning in Singapore.

GEODESY IN SOLVING PROBLEMS OF SUSTAINABLE CITY DEVELOPMENT: ANALYSIS OF URBAN TERRITORY PLANNING

The article focuses on the creation and implementation of a geodetic planning system aimed at ensuring the sustainable development of urban areas. The main emphasis is on the use of open and accessible software, integration of full-fledged GIS and DBMS components. The process of determining the most suitable GIS platform for GSP included a detailed analysis of various GIS systems taking into account their functionality, which allowed to choose QGIS as the optimal solution due to its high functionality in the field of geodata management, support for various data formats, user interface and dynamic development. The structure of the GSP is based on two main platforms: the QGIS GIS system for cartographic data presentation and analysis, and the Microsoft Access DBMS for performing all data operations. Interaction between these platforms is provided through the eVis module built into QGIS, which allows for efficient planning of urban area surveys and land use management. The main tasks solved with the help of GSP are the planning of primary surveys to identify target plantations, detailed taxation of plantations with the creation of samples according to specified parameters, obtaining point maps of the distribution of various types of vegetation, planning sample surveys with specific geospatial conditions, as well as geo-information and tax analysis in in solving the problems of sustainable development of cities. The implementation of GSP provides significant advantages for planning the sustainable development of urban areas, allowing more efficient use of land resources, optimizing urban management processes and intensifying scientific research in this field. The development and integration of modern digital technologies in the field of urban planning play a key role in achieving the goals of sustainable development.

Mapping lineament features using GIS approaches: case study of Neoproterozoic basement rocks in the South-Eastern Desert of Egypt

In geosciences, field observations, and survey, remote sensing applications and data analysis still need to find out a seamless approach of integration, interlinking, and storing environment. Most applications of geomatic tools in geological studies (mainly in southern countries) focus on getting information of the real world from satellite data, but do not specify the concept of the way to represent them. However, heterogeneity exists in data form of different geological components (e.g., petrography and structure analysis), measurements, spatial analysis, and classification, which make the property and relation in the perspective of integration and management non-trivial aspect. However, this paper is an attempt to figure out a geo-data management approach by using the geo-information system (GIS). The case study is South Eastern Desert, Egypt, which built up of Neoproterozoic basement rocks and experienced successive deformations. We proposed to capture different geological data and processed digital images, together with conceptual model, to facilitate a geo-spatial framework and improve the exploration and detection of lithologies, lineaments features, and find out its interlink. Therefore, the lineament number percentage and the lineament length percentage could be used as significance of rock unit chronology, where the digital foot prints of Neoproterozoic basement rocks were created.

Geospatial preparedness: Empirical study of the joint effort to provide geospatial support to disaster response

AbstractIn a disaster aftermath in places lacking geospatial preparedness, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs creates a framework for cooperation with the Coordinated Data Scramble initiative, where Information Management Officers (IMOs) from different organizations work together in supporting the coordination of humanitarian aid. The perspective of these IMOs has been considered to identify the factors influencing the use of GIS in this context. The results show the requirement for a geodata management strategy, including geodata gathering, maintenance, and decision‐making processes based on those geodata. Geodata should be reliable and up‐to‐date. It requires consistent and useful metadata and the possibility of contacting the geodata source. Security and political issues limit information sharing. In this context, OpenStreetMap is often used as a source of information. Therefore, improving OpenStreetMap improves geospatial preparedness. Nevertheless, the use of this open platform highlights issues related to information privacy.

Current trends in the management of groundwater specific geospatial information

The purpose of this paper is to present the state-of-art of groundwater geospatial information management, highlighting the relevant data model characteristics and technical implementation of the European Directive 2007/2/EC, also known as the INSPIRE Directive. The maturity of the groundwater geodata management systems is of crucial importance for any kind of activity, be it a research project or an operational service of monitoring, protection or exploitation activities. An ineffective and inadequate geodata management system can significantly increase costs or even overthrow the entire activity ([1-3]). Furthermore, following the technological advancement and the extended scientific and operational interdisciplinary connectivity at national and international scale, the interoperability characteristics are becoming increasingly important in the development of groundwater geospatial information management. From paper recordings to digital spreadsheets, from relational database to standardized data models, the manner in which the groundwater data was gathered, stored, processed and visualized has changed significantly over time. Aside from the clear technical progress, the design that captures the natural connections and dependencies between each groundwater feature and phenomena have also evolved. The second part of our paper address the variations that occurred when outlining the different groundwater geospatial information management models, differences that depict the complexity of hydrogeological data.

Simple Rules for an Efficient Use of Geographic Information Systems in Molecular Ecology

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are becoming increasingly popular in the context of molecular ecology and conservation biology thanks to their display options efficiency, flexibility and management of geodata. Indeed, spatial data for wildlife and livestock species is becoming a trend with many researchers publishing genomic data that is specifically suitable for landscape studies. GIS uniquely reveal the possibility to overlay genetic information with environmental data and, as such, allow us to locate and analyze genetic boundaries of various plant and animal species or to study gene-environment associations (GEA). This means that, using GIS, we can potentially identify the genetic bases of species adaptation to particular geographic conditions or to climate change. However, many biologists are not familiar with the use of GIS and underlying concepts and thus experience difficulties in finding relevant information and instructions on how to use them. In this paper, we illustrate the power of free and open source GIS approaches and provide essential information for their successful application in molecular ecology. First, we introduce key concepts related to GIS than are too often overlooked in the literature, for example coordinate systems, GPS accuracy and scale. We then provide an overview of the most employed open-source GIS-related software, file formats and refer to major environmental databases. We also reconsider sampling strategies as high costs of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) data currently diminish the number of samples that can be sequenced per location. Thereafter, we detail methods of data exploration and spatial statistics suited for the analysis of large genetic datasets. Finally, we provide suggestions to properly edit maps and to make them as comprehensive as possible, either manually or trough programming languages.

CONFIDENTIAL GEODATA PROTECTION IN CHINA: CHALLENGES, LIABILITY CONCERNS AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

In recent years, a growing number of foreign companies and individuals were involved in geodata violations in China. The Chinese government is facing greater pressure to protect confidential geodata within its territory. Geodata violations occurred in the course of illegal mapping and surveying, geographical and geological data collection and transactions. Although China has reformed laws and regulations to refine some aspects of confidential geodata management, existing rules remain ambiguous and controversial. This article aims to address the liability concerns raised among foreign companies from geodata violations. After defining the three most significant concepts, geological data, mapping and surveying, and state secrets, this article reviews the status quo, reasons for and impacts of geodata violations in China, to find out how big the problem is and why it matters. It then explores the legislative framework of state secrets protection in the context of geodata management; special focus is put on liability issues and problems of the current system. As a response to existing arguments, possible ways to improve confidential geodata protection and some practical tips for foreign businesses are offered.

Petro-structural geology of the Eastern Aspromonte Massif crystalline basement (southern Italy-Calabria): an example of interoperable geo-data management from thin section – to field scale

The presented maps provide an example of the synoptic display of multi-scale geological features characterizing the tectono-metamorphic evolution of the crystalline basement terranes in a poly-orogenic-multistadial evolutionary scenario. The petro-structural map of the eastern Aspromonte Massif (southern Calabrian Peloritani Orogen) is characterized by a nappe-like edifice composed by the superimposition of three crystalline basement tectonic units which, sharing the same Alpine-Apennine reworking, underwent a different metamorphic evolution, mostly derived from the Hercynian orogenic cycle. This geological framework is completed by the suture deposition of a Oligocene-Miocene syn-orogenic clastic formation, partly roofed by the back-thrusting of a clay-rich mélange. In order to understand the potential relationships within the complex dataset deriving from the geological investigations of this crystalline basement area, a geo-database, capable of handling multi-scale information from field-derived structural data (i.e. foliation, lineation, fold- and fault-related structures) to micro-scale derived ones (i.e. thin-section analysis, electron microscope and microprobe investigations, thermodynamic modeling outputs) has been constructed, according to the international standards using the Geo-Scientific Markup Language developed by the Commission for the Management and Application of Geo-science Information. Proposed outputs will show the relationships between field-related geological features, showing collected samples and the subsequent laboratory investigations. These are fundamental to achieving reliable results in geological contexts, such as those for reconstructing the tectono-metamorphic evolution of crystalline basement terrains.

Geodata management by developing of national data infrastructure in the Republic of Serbia

Geodata management by developing of national data infrastructure in the Republic of Serbia

Digital geodata traces – new challenges for geographic education

Young people in modern societies consciously (e.g. Facebook) or unconsciously (e.g. some Google services) produce a vast amount of geodata. Using relational databases, private companies are capable of creating very precise profiles of the individual user and his/her spatial practices from this data. This almost inevitably prompts questions regarding data protection and privacy issues. In this paper, a conceptual approach is presented on how students can develop competencies regarding their personal geodata management and which challenges this subject matter implies for research in geographic education.

Collaborative virtual geographic environments: A case study of air pollution simulation

The integration of high dimensional geo-visualization, geo-data management, geo-process modeling and computation, geospatial analysis, and geo-collaboration is a trend in GIScience. The technical platform that matches the trend forms a new framework unlike that of GIS and is conceptualized in this paper as a collaborative virtual geographic environment (CVGE). This paper focuses on two key issues. One is scientific research on CVGE including the concept definition and the conceptual and system framework development. The other is a prototype system development according to CVGE frameworks for air pollution simulation in the Pearl River Delta. The prototype system integrates air pollution source data, air pollution dispersion models, air pollution distribution/dispersion visualization in geographically referenced environments, geospatial analysis, and geo-collaboration. Using the prototype system, participants from geographically distributed locations can join in the shared virtual geographic environment to conduct collaborative simulation of air pollution dispersion. The collaborations supporting this simulation happen on air pollution source editing, air pollution dispersion modeling, geo-visualization of the output of the modeling, and geo-analysis.

Modern Geodata Management: Application of Interdisciplinary Interpretation and Visualization in Central America

In the last years new methods of data acquisition and processing in geosciences, inspired by growing computer performance, have led to an increased amount of data, and this development will proceed surely. In this paper we present the conception and technical realization of an interdisciplinary research group's geodata management as a combination of a metadata catalog together with web mapping technology. Clearly related with the storage and retrieval of different datasets is the need of visualization. 3D visualization in geoscientific interpretation is a useful tool, if numerous, heterogenic datasets have to be visualized at the same time. Moreover, advanced sensing technology often generates native three-dimensional datasets. Using a case study from the Collaborative Research Centre “SFB 574”, we present the possibilities of our stereoscopic projection system and want to explain the benefit of 3D visualization for research in general and university education in particular, as low-cost systems become available nowadays.

Geometric Parameters as Key Factors for the 3D-modeling of Fluvial Deposits

GIS is an established and appropriate tool for the management and evaluation of geodata which is being increasingly used for the three-dimensional modeling of strata. An advanced technique for the GIS-based 3D-modeling is developed here in order to integrate genetic aspects of deposition into the modeling process. The ArcView® software (ESRI, Inc., Redlands, California) and the extensions 3D-Analyst and Spatial Analyst have been used for the data management and layer rendering. The tools VirGIL and GSI-3D (Insight Corp., Germany) have been applied for the purpose of visualization of the layers in 3D. The main topic of the work is the generation of geometrically consistent models of fluvial terrace bodies, which represent monogenetic fills of Pleistocene palaeovalleys. One peculiarity of the investigated Illerglacier foreland, southern Germany, is the occurrence of highly eroded terrace remnants. The preserved deposits are tied to several accumulation levels, but the usual way of morphostratigraphic interpretation is limited and results in lots of different stratigraphies and palaeogeographic ideas presented in literature. The sediment fill of meltwater valleys, which can be identified in the Illerglacier area is reconstructed based upon intense field mapping. The terrace accumulations are defined by the base and surface layers, which are thought to be isochronous. Some 1,400 data points were used to model these layers in 3D. The geometry of the sediment deposits is defined using basic parameters, e.g. the gradient and the thickness of the terrace, which are used as bench levels for the modeling process. The quality of the calculated maps and cross-sections far surpasses that of those derived in the classic way without a genetic concept and without using the 3D-modeling technique. The results derived from the terrace models are relevant for the stratigraphy and palaeogeography of the investigated region of the Alpine foreland. The advanced modeling technique can be used for the detail analyses of terrace sequences of other regions.

GIS development for ground deformation data management. A case study in Cephallonia island (western Greece)

The present study is concerned with the management of multi-thematic geo-data of Cephallonia Island, related to crustal deformation. A large amount of heterogeneous data (vector, raster, ascii files) involving geology, tectonics, topography, geomorphology and DGPS measurements was compiled. Crustal deformation was studied using GPS network consisting of '23 stations. This was installed and measured in October 2001 and re-measured during September 2003 following the Lefkas earthquake of August 2003 (Mw=6.2), and also in July 2006. With proper spatial analysis, a large number of thematic and synthetic layers and maps were produced. Simultaneously, a GIS Data base was organized in order to make an easy extraction of conclusions in specific questions.

Database support for mobile route planning systems

The impact of tele and mobile information technology will increase the need for fast access to geodata significantly in the next years. However, hitherto many problems concerning the wireless access to geodata e.g. to be used in route planning clients are not yet solved. Beside transaction management the requirements of route planning systems to GIS technology mainly concern the modelling and management of graph-based geodata. New challenges to meet are the efficient storage of routes and the supply of location-based database queries. However, today's first commercial database management systems for mobile devices do not support spatial database queries. In this article we collect requirements and present a first implementation prototype of a mobile route planning system focusing on the support of spatial database queries. First experiences with a mobile bicycle route planning client coupled with a database management system are presented. We show that at the server side the computation and storage of different route types as well as the generation of routes under consideration of semantic information like tourist information or roads with certain points of interest should make up the main functionality of such a system. The mobile client should supply database support for the location-based visualization of routes and an offline data management of route data.

The multidimensional database system RasDaMan

RasDaMan is a universal — i.e., domain-independent — array DBMS for multidimensional arrays of arbitrary size and structure. A declarative, SQL-based array query language offers flexible retrieval and manipulation. Efficient server-based query evaluation is enabled by an intelligent optimizer and a streamlined storage architecture based on flexible array tiling and compression. RasDaMan is being used in several international projects for the management of geo and healthcare data of various dimensionality.

Internal and external algorithms for the points-in-regions problem—the inside join of geo-relational algebra

We consider the problem of collectively locating a set of points within a set of disjoint polygonal regions when neither for points nor for regions preprocessing is allowed. This problem arises in geometric database systems. More specifically it is equivalent to computing theinside join of geo-relational algebra, a conceptual model for geo-data management. We describe efficient algorithms for solving this problem based on plane-sweep and divide-and-conquer, requiringO(n(logn) +t) andO(n(log2 n) +t) time, respectively, andO(n) space, wheren is the total number of points and edges, and (is the number of reported (point, region) pairs. Since the algorithms are meant to be practically useful we consider as well as the internal versions-running completely in main memory-versions that run internally but use much less than linear space and versions that run externally, that is, require only a constant amount of internal memory regardless of the amount of data to be processed. Comparing plane-sweep and divide-and-conquer, it turns out that divide-and-conquer can be expected to perform much better in the external case even though it has a higher internal asymptotic worst-case complexity. An interesting theoretical by-product is a new general technique for handling arbitrarily large sets of objects clustered on a singlex-coordinate within a planar divide-and-conquer algorithm and a proof that the resulting “unbalanced” dividing does not lead to a more than logarithmic height of the tree of recursive calls.

Geodata Institute established

The National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) of the National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service (NESDIS) has joined with the Colorado School of Mines to establish the Cooperative Institute for Geodata Management and Applications (CIGMA), located on the school's campus in Golden, Colo. CIGMA will aim to provide “a unique national focus” for research and development related to processing, storage, application, access, and protection of geophysical and geological data resources.