Spectral remote sensing for onshore seepage characterization: A critical overview

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOIn this article, we overview the application of spectral remote sensing data collected by multi-, and hyperspectral instruments in the visible-near infrared (VNIR), short-wave infrared (SWIR), and longwave infrared (LWIR) wavelengths for characterization of seepage systems as an exploration indicator of subsurface hydrocarbon (HC) accumulations. Two seepage systems namely macro-, and microseepage are recognized. A macroseepage is defined as visible indications of oil and gas on the surface and in the air detectable directly by a remote sensing approach. A microseepage is defined as invisible traces of light HCs in soils and sediments that are detectable by its secondary footprints in the strata, hence an indirect remote sensing target. Based on these broad categories, firstly, a comprehensive set of well-described and reliable remote sensing case studies available in the literature are thoroughly reviewed and then systematically assessed as regards the methodological shortcomings and scantiness in data gathering, processing, and interpretation. The work subsequently attempts to go through seminal papers published on microseepage concept and interrelated geochemical and geophysical techniques, exhumed HC reservoirs, lab-based spectroscopic analysis of petroleum and other related disciplines from a remote sensing standpoint. The aim is to enrich the discussion and highlight the still unexplored capabilities of this technique in accomplishing exploration objectives using the concept of seepage system. Aspects of seepage phenomenon in environmental pollution and uncertainties associated with their role in global warming are also underlined. This work benefits from illustrative products generated over two study areas located in the Ventura Basin, State of California, USA and the Tucano Basin, State of Bahia, Brazil known to host distinctive macro-, and microseepage systems, respectively. In conclusion, we recommend further research over a diverse range of seepage systems and advocate for a mature conceptual model for microseepage phenomenon1684872FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO2015/06663-

Earth resources: A continuing bibliography with indexes (issue 52)

This bibliography lists 454 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between October 1 and December 31, 1986. Emphasis is placed on the use of remote sensing and geophysical instrumentation in spacecraft and aircraft to survey and inventory natural resources and urban areas. Subject matter is grouped according to agriculture and forestry, environmental changes and cultural resources, geodesy and cartography, geology and mineral resources, hydrology and water management, data processing and distribution systems, instrumentation and sensors, and economic analysis

Caracterização e estudo comparativo de exsudações de hidrocarbonetos e plays petrolíferos em bacias terrestres das regiões central do Irã e sudeste do Brasil usando sensoriamento remoto espectral

Orientador: Carlos Roberto de Souza FilhoTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de GeociênciasResumo: O objetivo desta pesquisa foi explorar as assinaturas de exsudações de hidrocarbonetos na superfície usando a tecnologia de detecção remota espectral. Isso foi alcançado primeiro, realizando uma revisão abrangente das capacidades e potenciais técnicas de detecção direta e indireta. Em seguida, a técnica foi aplicada para investigar dois locais de teste localizados no Irã e no Brasil, conhecidos por hospedar sistemas ativos de micro-exsudações e afloramentos betuminosos, respectivamente. A primeira área de estudo está localizada perto da cidade de Qom (Irã), e está inserida no campo petrolífero Alborz, enterrado sob sedimentos datados do Oligoceno da Formação Upper Red. O segundo local está localizado perto da cidade de Anhembi (SP), na margem oriental da bacia do Paraná, no Brasil, e inclui acumulações de betume em arenitos triássicos da Formação Pirambóia. O trabalho na área de Qom integrou evidências de (i) estudos petrográficos e geoquímicos em laboratório, (ii) investigações de afloramentos em campo, e (iii) mapeamento de anomalia em larga escala através de conjuntos de dados multi-espectrais ASTER e Sentinel-2. O resultado deste estudo se trata de novos indicadores mineralógicos e geoquímicos para a exploração de micro-exsudações e um modelo de micro-exsudações atualizado. Durante este trabalho, conseguimos desenvolver novas metodologias para análise de dados espectroscópicos. Através da utilização de dados simulados, indicamos que o instrumento de satélite WorldView-3 tem potencial para detecção direta de hidrocarbonetos. Na sequência do estudo, dados reais sobre afloramentos de arenitos e óleo na área de Anhembi foram investigados. A área foi fotografada novamente no chão e usando o sistema de imagem hiperespectral AisaFENIX. Seguiu-se estudos e amostragem no campo,incluindo espectroscopia de alcance fechado das amostras no laboratório usando instrumentos de imagem (ou seja, sisuCHEMA) e não-imagem (ou seja, FieldSpec-4). O estudo demonstrou que uma abordagem espectroscópica multi-escala poderia fornecer uma imagem completa das variações no conteúdo e composição do betume e minerais de alteração que acompanham. A assinatura de hidrocarbonetos, especialmente a centrada em 2300 nm, mostrou-se consistente e comparável entre as escalas e capaz de estimar o teor de betume de areias de petróleo em todas as escalas de imagemAbstract: The objective of this research was to explore for the signatures of seeping hydrocarbons on the surface using spectral remote sensing technology. It was achieved firstly by conducting a comprehensive review of the capacities and potentials of the technique for direct and indirect seepage detection. Next, the technique was applied to investigate two distinctive test sites located in Iran and Brazil known to retain active microseepage systems and bituminous outcrops, respectively. The first study area is located near the city of Qom in Iran, and consists of Alborz oilfield buried under Oligocene sediments of the Upper-Red Formation. The second site is located near the town of Anhembi on the eastern edge of the Paraná Basin in Brazil and includes bitumen accumulations in the Triassic sandstones of the Pirambóia Formation. Our work in Qom area integrated evidence from (i) petrographic, spectroscopic, and geochemical studies in the laboratory, (ii) outcrop investigations in the field, and (iii) broad-scale anomaly mapping via orbital remote sensing data. The outcomes of this study was novel mineralogical and geochemical indicators for microseepage characterization and a classification scheme for the microseepage-induced alterations. Our study indicated that active microseepage systems occur in large parts of the lithofacies in Qom area, implying that the extent of the petroleum reservoir is much larger than previously thought. During this work, we also developed new methodologies for spectroscopic data analysis and processing. On the other side, by using simulated data, we indicated that WorldView-3 satellite instrument has the potential for direct hydrocarbon detection. Following this demonstration, real datasets were acquired over oil-sand outcrops of the Anhembi area. The area was further imaged on the ground and from the air by using an AisaFENIX hyperspectral imaging system. This was followed by outcrop studies and sampling in the field and close-range spectroscopy in the laboratory using both imaging (i.e. sisuCHEMA) and nonimaging instruments. The study demonstrated that a multi-scale spectroscopic approach could provide a complete picture of the variations in the content and composition of bitumen and associated alteration mineralogy. The oil signature, especially the one centered at 2300 nm, was shown to be consistent and comparable among scales, and capable of estimating the bitumen content of oil-sands at all imaging scalesDoutoradoGeologia e Recursos NaturaisDoutor em Geociências2015/06663-7FAPES

Laboratory Measurements of Trace Gas Emissions from Biomass Burning of Fuel Types from the Southeastern and Southwestern United States

Vegetation commonly managed by prescribed burning was collected from five southeastern and southwestern US military bases and burned under controlled conditions at the US Forest Service Fire Sciences Laboratory in Missoula, Montana. The smoke emissions were measured with a large suite of state-of-the-art instrumentation including an open-path Fourier transform infrared (OP-FTIR) spectrometer for measurement of gas-phase species. The OP-FTIR detected and quantified 19 gas-phase species in these fires: CO2, CO, CH4, C2H2, C2H4, C3H6, HCHO, HCOOH, CH3OH, CH3COOH, furan, H2O, NO, NO2, HONO, NH3, HCN, HCl, and SO2. Emission factors for these species are presented for each vegetation type burned. Gas-phase nitrous acid (HONO), an important OH precursor, was detected in the smoke from all fires. The HONO emission factors ranged from 0.15 to 0.60 g kg(-1) and were higher for the southeastern fuels. The fire-integrated molar emission ratios of HONO (relative to NOx) ranged from approximately 0.03 to 0.20, with higher values also observed for the southeastern fuels. The majority of non-methane organic compound (NMOC) emissions detected by OP-FTIR were oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) with the total identified OVOC emissions constituting 61 +/- 12% of the total measured NMOC on a molar basis. These OVOC may undergo photolysis or further oxidation contributing to ozone formation. Elevated amounts of gas-phase HCl and SO2 were also detected during flaming combustion, with the amounts varying greatly depending on location and vegetation type. The fuels with the highest HCl emission factors were all located in the coastal regions, although HCl was also observed from fuels farther inland. Emission factors for HCl were generally higher for the southwestern fuels, particularly those found in the chaparral biome in the coastal regions of California

Earth resources: A continuing bibliography with indexes (issue 59)

This bibliography lists 518 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between July 1 and September 30, 1988. Emphasis is placed on the use of remote sensing and geophysical instrumentation in spacecraft and aircraft to survey and inventory natural resources and urban areas. Subject matter is grouped according to agriculture and forestry, environmental changes and cultural resources, geodesy and cartography, geology and mineral resources, oceanography and marine resources, hydrology and water management, data processing and distribution systems, and instrumentation and sensors

Laboratory measurements of trace gas emissions from biomass burning of fuel types from the southeastern and southwestern United States

Vegetation commonly managed by prescribed burning was collected from five southeastern and southwestern US military bases and burned under controlled conditions at the US Forest Service Fire Sciences Laboratory in Missoula, Montana. The smoke emissions were measured with a large suite of state-of-the-art instrumentation including an open-path Fourier transform infrared (OP-FTIR) spectrometer for measurement of gas-phase species. The OP-FTIR detected and quantified 19 gas-phase species in these fires: CO2, CO, CH4, C2H2, C2H4, C3H6, HCHO, HCOOH, CH3OH, CH3COOH, furan, H2O, NO, NO2, HONO, NH3, HCN, HCl, and SO2. Emission factors for these species are presented for each vegetation type burned. Gas-phase nitrous acid (HONO), an important OH precursor, was detected in the smoke from all fires. The HONO emission factors ranged from 0.15 to 0.60 g kg(-1) and were higher for the southeastern fuels. The fire-integrated molar emission ratios of HONO (relative to NOx) ranged from approximately 0.03 to 0.20, with higher values also observed for the southeastern fuels. The majority of non-methane organic compound (NMOC) emissions detected by OP-FTIR were oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) with the total identified OVOC emissions constituting 61 +/- 12% of the total measured NMOC on a molar basis. These OVOC may undergo photolysis or further oxidation contributing to ozone formation. Elevated amounts of gas-phase HCl and SO2 were also detected during flaming combustion, with the amounts varying greatly depending on location and vegetation type. The fuels with the highest HCl emission factors were all located in the coastal regions, although HCl was also observed from fuels farther inland. Emission factors for HCl were generally higher for the southwestern fuels, particularly those found in the chaparral biome in the coastal regions of California

Airborne and Ground-Based Measurements of the Trace Gases and Particles Emitted by Prescribed Fires in the United States

We have measured emission factors for 19 trace gas species and particulate matter (PM2.5) from 14 prescribed fires in chaparral and oak savanna in the southwestern US, as well as conifer forest understory in the southeastern US and Sierra Nevada mountains of California. These are likely the most extensive emission factor field measurements for temperate biomass burning to date and the only published emission factors for temperate oak savanna fuels. This study helps to close the gap in emissions data available for temperate zone fires relative to tropical biomass burning. We present the first field measurements of the biomass burning emissions of glycolaldehyde, a possible precursor for aqueous phase secondary organic aerosol formation. We also measured the emissions of phenol, another aqueous phase secondary organic aerosol precursor. Our data confirm previous observations that urban deposition can impact the NOx emission factors and thus subsequent plume chemistry. For two fires, we measured both the emissions in the convective smoke plume from our airborne platform and the unlofted residual smoldering combustion emissions with our ground-based platform. The smoke from residual smoldering combustion was characterized by emission factors for hydrocarbon and oxygenated organic species that were up to ten times higher than in the lofted plume, including high 1,3-butadiene and isoprene concentrations which were not observed in the lofted plume. This should be considered in modeling the air quality impacts for smoke that disperses at ground level. We also show that the often ignored unlofted emissions can significantly impact estimates of total emissions. Preliminary evidence suggests large emissions of monoterpenes in the residual smoldering smoke. These data should lead to an improved capacity to model the impacts of biomass burning in similar temperate ecosystems

The data concept behind the data: From metadata models and labelling schemes towards a generic spectral library

Spectral libraries play a major role in imaging spectroscopy. They are commonly used to store end-member and spectrally pure material spectra, which are primarily used for mapping or unmixing purposes. However, the development of spectral libraries is time consuming and usually sensor and site dependent. Spectral libraries are therefore often developed, used and tailored only for a specific case study and only for one sensor. Multi-sensor and multi-site use of spectral libraries is difficult and requires technical effort for adaptation, transformation, and data harmonization steps. Especially the huge amount of urban material specifications and its spectral variations hamper the setup of a complete spectral library consisting of all available urban material spectra. By a combined use of different urban spectral libraries, besides the improvement of spectral inter- and intra-class variability, missing material spectra could be considered with respect to a multi-sensor/ -site use. Publicly available spectral libraries mostly lack the metadata information that is essential for describing spectra acquisition and sampling background, and can serve to some extent as a measure of quality and reliability of the spectra and the entire library itself. In the GenLib project, a concept for a generic, multi-site and multi-sensor usable spectral library for image spectra on the urban focus was developed. This presentation will introduce a 1) unified, easy-to-understand hierarchical labeling scheme combined with 2) a comprehensive metadata concept that is 3) implemented in the SPECCHIO spectral information system to promote the setup and usability of a generic urban spectral library (GUSL). The labelling scheme was developed to ensure the translation of individual spectral libraries with their own labelling schemes and their usually varying level of details into the GUSL framework. It is based on a modified version of the EAGLE classification concept by combining land use, land cover, land characteristics and spectral characteristics. The metadata concept consists of 59 mandatory and optional attributes that are intended to specify the spatial context, spectral library information, references, accessibility, calibration, preprocessing steps, and spectra specific information describing library spectra implemented in the GUSL. It was developed on the basis of existing metadata concepts and was subject of an expert survey. The metadata concept and the labelling scheme are implemented in the spectral information system SPECCHIO, which is used for sharing and holding GUSL spectra. It allows easy implementation of spectra as well as their specification with the proposed metadata information to extend the GUSL. Therefore, the proposed data model represents a first fundamental step towards a generic usable and continuously expandable spectral library for urban areas. The metadata concept and the labelling scheme also build the basis for the necessary adaptation and transformation steps of the GUSL in order to use it entirely or in excerpts for further multi-site and multi-sensor applications

Fourth Symposium on Chemical Evolution and the Origin and Evolution of Life

This symposium was held at the NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, July 24-27, 1990. The NASA exobiology investigators reported their recent research findings. Scientific papers were presented in the following areas: cosmic evolution of biogenic compounds, prebiotic evolution (planetary and molecular), early evolution of life (biological and geochemical), evolution of advanced life, solar system exploration, and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)