Analysis of vertical reference levels in the brazilian coast: comparing local and global approaches

Abstract: There is a historical search for the unification of different geodetic reference systems in order to better integrate geodetic investigations. In particular, coastal zones pose the challenge of connecting terrestrial and oceanic references when working with different vertical reference levels. This study aims to investigate the goodness-of-fit of ocean models to local observations, as well as to update and improve reference levels (RL) in two tide gauges (TGs) in Brazil (Imbituba and Fortaleza). Local RLs were connected to a global reference system (GRS80), which allowed absolute analyses using the mean sea surface (MSS) and lowest astronomical tide (LAT) models MSS_CNES_ CLS15, DTU_15_MSS, DTU_18_MSS and DTU_15_LAT. In the selected TGs, the MSS models showed a difference of centimeters in regards to the local mean sea level (MSL) defined by the Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation (DHN). Sea Surface Topography (SSTop) values were estimated from Global Geopotential Models and MSL data. The results indicated possible inconsistencies in the global model of LAT when compared to local observations, likely due to the difficulty of modeling coastal zones.