Evaluation of ERTS-1 data for certain hydrological uses

The author has identified the following significant results. ERTS-1 MSS data have been used in a variety of hydrologic research including snow-extent mapping; studies of snowmelt, snowmelt runoff, spectral reflectance of snow for assessing snowpack conditions, and snow albedo; lake ice formation, breakup, and migration; lake current measurements; multispectral studies of lake ice; and flood studies. MSS sensing of soil moisture over a well-vegetated test site was unsuccessfully attempted. Although a powerful research tool, ERTS-1 has very limited use as an operational system for hydrologic communities because of its 18-day revisit cycle and its lack of a quick look capability

Depth analysis of Midway Atoll using Quickbird multi-spectral imaging over variable substrates

Shallow water bathymetry is important for both safe navigation and natural resource management purposes. Extracting depth information from spectral imagery allows identification of benthic features and characterization of coral reef habitats, especially in remote islands. Techniques have been developed to extract water depth from multispectral imagery (Lyzenga, 1978; Philpot, 1989). These techniques can be difficult to apply in optically shallow waters with heterogeneous bottom types and varying albedo, and require tuning of multiple parameters. An improved algorithm to extract water depth from multispectral satellite imagery was proposed by Stumpf et al. (2003) to generate bathymetric maps with limited a priori information. The algorithm is based on the ratios of transformed reflectance values in the visible bands, retrieving greater depths than previous algorithms and compensating for variable bottom type and albedo. This method requires fewer tunable parameters and can be applied to low-albedo features. Although Stumpf et al. (2003) conclude that the method is robust and works well over variable bottom types, recent studies have pointed out limitations, mostly attributable to varying albedo (Clark, 2005; Densham, 2005). This research attempts to quantify the contribution of variable benthic substrates to the algorithmâ s accuracy by classifying the scene into its main bottom types and tuning the coefficients separately. The algorithm is evaluated using a QuickBird high resolution multispectral image of the remote Midway Atoll, in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Classifying the image into two main bottom types and tuning the coefficients separately produced a small improvement in the accuracy of the bathymetric estimates when bottom reflectance is included as a factor. This result indicates that Stumpf et al. (2003)â s ratio method is not insensitive to variable bottom type, and that knowledge of the distribution and extent of different benthic substrates in optically shallow waters has the potential to improve bathymetric derivation in remote coastal areas such as coral reef environments in the Pacific.http://archive.org/details/depthnalysisofmi109452674Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Estimating supraglacial lake depth in West Greenland using Landsat 8 and comparison with other multispectral methods

Liquid water stored on the surface of ice sheets and glaciers impacts surface mass balance, ice dynamics, and heat transport. Multispectral remote sensing can be used to detect supraglacial lakes and estimate their depth and area. In this study, we use in situ spectral and bathymetric data to assess lake depth retrieval using the recently launched Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI). We also extend our analysis to other multispectral sensors to evaluate their performance with similar methods. Digital elevation models derived from WorldView stereo imagery (pre-lake filling and post-drainage) are used to validate spectrally derived depths, combined with a lake edge determination from imagery. The optimal supraglacial lake depth retrieval is a physically based single-band model applied to two OLI bands independently (red and panchromatic) that are then averaged together. When OLI- and WorldView-derived depths are differenced, they yield a mean and standard deviation of 0.0 ± 1.6 m. This method is then applied to OLI data for the Sermeq Kujalleq (Jakobshavn Isbræ) region of Greenland to study the spatial and intra-seasonal variability of supraglacial lakes during summer 2014. We also give coefficients for estimating supraglacial lake depth using a similar method with other multispectral sensors

HIRIS (High-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer: Science opportunities for the 1990s. Earth observing system. Volume 2C: Instrument panel report

The high-resolution imaging spectrometer (HIRIS) is an Earth Observing System (EOS) sensor developed for high spatial and spectral resolution. It can acquire more information in the 0.4 to 2.5 micrometer spectral region than any other sensor yet envisioned. Its capability for critical sampling at high spatial resolution makes it an ideal complement to the MODIS (moderate-resolution imaging spectrometer) and HMMR (high-resolution multifrequency microwave radiometer), lower resolution sensors designed for repetitive coverage. With HIRIS it is possible to observe transient processes in a multistage remote sensing strategy for Earth observations on a global scale. The objectives, science requirements, and current sensor design of the HIRIS are discussed along with the synergism of the sensor with other EOS instruments and data handling and processing requirements

User's guide to image processing applications of the NOAA satellite HRPT/AVHRR data. Part 1: Introduction to the satellite system and its applications. Part 2: Processing and analysis of AVHRR imagery

The use of NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radar/High Resolution Picture Transmission (AVHRR/HRPT) imagery for earth resource applications is provided for the applications scientist for use within the various Earth science, resource, and agricultural disciplines. A guide to processing NOAA AVHRR data using the hardware and software systems integrated for this NASA project is provided. The processing steps from raw data on computer compatible tapes (1B data format) through usable qualitative and quantitative products for applications are given. The manual is divided into two parts. The first section describes the NOAA satellite system, its sensors, and the theoretical basis for using these data for environmental applications. Part 2 is a hands-on description of how to use a specific image processing system, the International Imaging Systems, Inc. (I2S) Model 75 Array Processor and S575 software, to process these data

Earth resources: A continuing bibliography with indexes (issue 55)

This bibliography lists 368 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between July 1 and September 30, 1987. Emphasis is placed on the use of remote sensing and geographical 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

Handbook of sensor technical characteristics

Space and terrestrial applications remote sensor systems are described. Each sensor is presented separately. Information is included on its objectives, description, technical characteristics, data products obtained, data archives location, period of operation, and measurement and potential derived parameters. Each sensor is cross indexed

Earth resources: A continuing bibliography with indexes (issue 51)

This bibliography lists 382 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between July 1 and September 30, 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

Satellite-derived bathymetry for shallow water hydrographic mapping

Satellite-Derived Bathymetry (SDB), a new method which derives bathymetric data from multi-spectral satellite imagery, has yet to be recognised as a new acquisition method for shallow water hydrographic survey mapping. Currently, SDB has received substantial attention from researchers worldwide, but most of the studies primarily focused on remote sensing environments. The questions about precision and accuracy are always the subject of interest in the surveying field but went unreported in most of the studies. Hence, this study aims to develop an improved SDB algorithm model which is capable of delivering better accuracy for shallow water hydrographic survey mapping application in a tropical environment. High resolution multi-spectral satellite imageries from the Sentinel-2A, Pleiades and WorldView-2 of Tawau Port, Sabah and Pulau Kuraman, Labuan were derived. Both places have diverse seabed topography parameters. A conceptual model of Multi-Layer Optimisation Technique (M-LOT) was developed based on Stumpf derivation model. Accuracy assessment of M-LOT was carried out against derivation models of Lyzenga and Sumpf. Two types of accuracy assessment were involved: Statistical Assessment and International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Survey Standard evaluation. The findings showed M-LOT model managed to achieve up to 1.800m and 1.854m Standard Deviation (SD) accuracy for Tawau Port and Pulau Kuraman respectively. In addition, M-LOT has shown a better derivation compared to Stumpf’s, where a total of 13.1% more depth samples meeting the IHO minimum standard for Tawau Port. Furthermore, M-LOT has generated an extensive increment up to 46.1% depths samples meeting the IHO minimum standard for Pulau Kuraman. In conclusion, M-LOT has significantly shown improved accuracy compared to Stumpf, which can offer a solution for SDB method in shallow-water hydrographic survey mapping application

Earth Resources, A Continuing Bibliography with Indexes

This bibliography lists 460 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between July 1 and September 30, 1984. 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 economical analysis