EMODnet Seabed Substrate data products comprise of multiple datasets at different scales and sedimentation rates compiled in subsequent EMODnet Geology projects running since 2009. In the projects, diverse, national datasets are harmonised into a shared schema which includes not only information on seabed substrate, but also background and confidence level of the data.  

Seabed Substrate data products are:

• Multiscale (1:25 000, 1:50 000, 1:100 000, 1:250 000, 1:1 000 000) 
• 1:100 000
• 1:250 000
• 1:1 000 000
• Sedimentation Rates

Download links and information about the individual data products can be found below. 

Seabed substrate harmonisation is done by reclassifying the diverse national data by using the modified Folk classification system. This EMODnet reclassification scheme includes at least five seabed substrate classes and is supported by European nature information system, EUNIS. Four substrate classes are defined on the basis of the modified Folk triangle (mud to sandy mud; sand; coarse sediment; and mixed sediment) and one additional substrate class (rock and boulders).  If the original seabed substrate dataset has enabled more detailed substrate classification, classifications with 7 and 16 substrate classes might be available.

The harmonised schema has been enhanced on the way and some of the attributes have not therefore been gathered in the first place and are missing from the older datasets at 1: 1 000 000 and 1: 250 000 scales. The data coverage varies between scales and in time it has been collated.

Basic background attributes include information on e.g. country, data holder, scale and original classification system, and seabed substrate attributes include information on e.g. reclassification, original substrate, Folk classes and additional surface features. Confidence information is based on remote sensing coverage, amount of sampling and distinctness of class boundaries.

The sedimentation rates data focuses on the present-day information, which means accumulation to the seabed over the past decades since AD 1900 or so. Estimations of modern sedimentation rates (centimeters/year) can be based e.g. on established historical records of anthropogenic radionuclides (e.g. ¹³⁷Cs and ²⁴¹Am), lead (Pb) and stable lead isotope (206/207Pb ratios) as well as on data based on annually laminated sediments.

Multiscale

The maps illustrate seabed properties at different scales – 1:25 000 (25 k), 1:50 000 (50 k), 1:100 000 (100 k), 1:250 000 (250 k) and 1:1 000 000 (1 M) – covering all European maritime areas in one product.  

Last update: December 2020 

Note: The data may include some errors e.g. overlays, topological gaps and data discontinuities. The data coverage depends on the scale.   

1:100k

The map illustrates seabed properties at 1:100 000 scale (100 k) – covering all European maritime areas.

Last update: December 2020 

Note: The data may include some errors e.g. overlays, topological gaps and data discontinuities.  

1:250k

The map illustrates seabed properties at 1: 250 000 scale (250 k) – covering all European maritime areas 

The seabed substrate map was produced October 2016. 

Note: The data may include some errors e.g. overlays, topological gaps and data discontinuities.  

1:1M

The map illustrates seabed properties at 1: 1 000 000 scale (1 M) – covering all European maritime areas. The map is collated from the 1 M data from project partners and generalized 1:250 k EMODnet data.  

The seabed substrate map was produced October 2016. 

Note: The data may include some errors e.g. overlays, topological gaps and data discontinuities.  

Sedimentation Rates

The map illustrates sediment accumulation rates information for recent sediments as point-source information. Data is collated and harmonised from information provided by project partners from their national waters, including EEZ.

Last update: April 2021.