A comparison of robust polynomial fitting, global geopotential model and spectral analysis for regional–residual gravity field separation in the Doñana National Park (Spain)

Doñana National Park is a protected area of approximately 500 km2 located on the SW coast of Spain with singular and interesting ecological and geological features. A gravimetric survey is presented where L&R gravity metres were used in the gravimetric observations with GPS and high-precision levelling positioning. Bouguer gravity anomalies were computed and least squares prediction was used for gross-error detection. Robust polynomial fitting, the recent EGM2008 global geopotential model (complete to degree and order 2159), and spectral analysis were tested for regional–residual gravity field separation. A detailed description of the gravimetric characteristics of the Doñana National Park is presented and the values of residual gravity anomalies were correlated with geological features, where the use of the EGM2008 global geopotential model has revealed an interesting tool for regional–residual gravity field separation. Finally, the interpretation of the results is justified by the well-known geological aspects of the park, but some modifications in the boundaries of the different geological features are needed in order to fit the modelled gravity with the residual gravity anomalies in the two cross-sections analysed.

► The paper deals with regional-residual gravity field separation.
► The case study is located in Doñana National Park.
► Polynomial fitting, global geopotential model and spectral analysis are analysed.
► The use of, at least, two of them are highly recommended in any gravimetric study.
► Improvement of the geological features is presented.