Mapping snow depth in open alpine terrain from stereo satellite imagery

International audienceTo date, there is no definitive approach to map snow depth in mountainous areas from spaceborne sensors. Here, we examine the potential of very-high-resolution (VHR) optical stereo satellites to this purpose. Two triplets of 0.70 m resolution images were acquired by the Pléiades satellite over an open alpine catchment (14.5 km2) under snow-free and snow-covered conditions. The open-source software Ame's Stereo Pipeline (ASP) was used to match the stereo pairs without ground control points to generate raw photogrammetric clouds and to convert them into high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) at 1, 2, and 4 m resolutions. The DEM differences (dDEMs) were computed after 3-D coregistration, including a correction of a −0.48 m vertical bias. The bias-corrected dDEM maps were compared to 451 snow-probe measurements. The results show a decimetric accuracy and precision in the Pléiades-derived snow depths. The median of the residuals is −0.16 m, with a standard deviation (SD) of 0.58 m at a pixel size of 2 m. We compared the 2 m Pléiades dDEM to a 2 m dDEM that was based on a winged unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV) photogrammetric survey that was performed on the same winter date over a portion of the catchment (3.1 km2). The UAV-derived snow depth map exhibits the same patterns as the Pléiades-derived snow map, with a median of −0.11 m and a SD of 0.62 m when compared to the snow-probe measurements. The Pléiades images benefit from a very broad radiometric range (12 bits), allowing a high correlation success rate over the snow-covered areas. This study demonstrates the value of VHR stereo satellite imagery to map snow depth in remote mountainous areas even when no field data are available

Winter mass balance of Drangajökull ice cap (NW Iceland) derived from satellite sub-meter stereo images

Sub-meter resolution, stereoscopic satellite images allow for the generation of accurate and high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) over glaciers and ice caps. Here, repeated stereo images of Drangajökull ice cap (NW Iceland) from Pléiades and WorldView2 (WV2) are combined with in situ estimates of snow density and densification of firn and fresh snow to provide the first estimates of the glacier-wide geodetic winter mass balance obtained from satellite imagery. Statistics in snow- and ice-free areas reveal similar vertical relative accuracy (<  0.5 m) with and without ground control points (GCPs), demonstrating the capability for measuring seasonal snow accumulation. The calculated winter (14 October 2014 to 22 May 2015) mass balance of Drangajökull was 3.33 ± 0.23 m w.e. (meter water equivalent), with ∼ 60 % of the accumulation occurring by February, which is in good agreement with nearby ground observations. On average, the repeated DEMs yield 22 % less elevation change than the length of eight winter snow cores due to (1) the time difference between in situ and satellite observations, (2) firn densification and (3) elevation changes due to ice dynamics. The contributions of these three factors were of similar magnitude. This study demonstrates that seasonal geodetic mass balance can, in many areas, be estimated from sub-meter resolution satellite stereo images.This study was funded by the University of Iceland (UI) Research Fund. Pleiades images were acquired at research price thanks to the CNES ISIS program (http://www.isis-cnes.fr). The WV2 DEM was obtained through the ArcticDEM project. This work is a contribution to the Rannis grant of excellence project, ANATILS. Collaboration and travels between IES and LEGOS were funded by the Jules Verne research fund and the TOSCA program from the French Space Agency, CNES. This study used the recent lidar mapping of the glaciers in Iceland that was funded by the Icelandic Research Fund, the Landsvirkjun research fund, the Icelandic Road Administration, the Reykjavik Energy Environmental and Energy Research Fund, the Klima-og Luftgruppen (KoL) research fund of the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Vatnajokull National Park, the organization Friends of Vatnajokull, the National Land Survey of Iceland, the Icelandic Meteorological Office and the UI research fund. The ground-based mass balance measurements on Drangajokull have been jointly funded by Orkubu Vestfjarda (Westfjord Power Company), the National Energy Authority (2004-2009) and the Icelandic Meteorological Office (2009-2015).Peer Reviewe

Automatic topographic features extraction from Pléiades HR and OrbView-5 simulated data.

In the next future new high-resolution (HR) multispectral, hyperspectral and radar satellite will be launched. In particular, from 2007 it is expected to be launched the first European satellite constellation with sub-meter resolution ORFEO (Optical and Radar Federated Earth Observation), composed of two French optical satellites (Pléiades HR) with 0.70 m resolution and four Italian X-band SAR satellites (COSMO-SkyMed). In the same year it is planned to be operative the first commercial ultra-high-resolution (UHR) satellite, OrbView-5, being able to collect imagery with 0.41 m resolution. This paper presents a first test of automatic topographic feature extraction – by means of the Automatic Ground control points Extraction (AGE) technique developed in the last years – for the future Pléiades HR and the OrbView-5 panchromatic data. Simulated images have been obtained both from 1:1,000 scale aerial othophotos and from a real QuickBird survey. Results showed that for the Pléiades HR satellites it is expected a metric precision of the extracted GCPs between 1.12 m and 2.07 m, while for the OrbView-5 it is expected a precision between 0.60 m and 1.10 m. These data are suitable for obtaining orthoimages with an RMSE better than 2.5 m for Pléiades HR and better than 1.5 m for OrbView-5, without any knowledge of the sensor model, of the satellite orientation and without any use of measured GCPs. Moreover, Plèiades HR results may be extended to the next generation Israeli EROS-B satellites, which will have a synchronous pushbroom high-resolution imaging camera with expected resolution of between 0.82 m and 0.70 m

Pléiades project: Assessment of georeferencing accuracy, image quality, pansharpening performence and DSM/DTM quality

Pléiades 1A and 1B are twin optical satellites of Optical and Radar Federated Earth Observation (ORFEO) program jointly running by France and Italy. They are the first satellites of Europe with sub-meter resolution. Airbus DS (formerly Astrium Geo) runs a MyGIC (formerly Pléiades Users Group) program to validate Pléiades images worldwide for various application purposes. The authors conduct three projects, one is within this program, the second is supported by BEU Scientific Research Project Program, and the third is supported by TÜBİTAK. Assessment of georeferencing accuracy, image quality, pansharpening performance and Digital Surface Model/Digital Terrain Model (DSM/DTM) quality subjects are investigated in these projects. For these purposes, triplet panchromatic (50 cm Ground Sampling Distance (GSD)) and VNIR (2 m GSD) Pléiades 1A images were investigated over Zonguldak test site (Turkey) which is urbanised, mountainous and covered by dense forest. The georeferencing accuracy was estimated with a standard deviation in X and Y (SX, SY) in the range of 0.45m by bias corrected Rational Polynomial Coefficient (RPC) orientation, using ~170 Ground Control Points (GCPs). 3D standard deviation of ±0.44m in X, ±0.51m in Y, and ±1.82m in Z directions have been reached in spite of the very narrow angle of convergence by bias corrected RPC orientation. The image quality was also investigated with respect to effective resolution, Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) and blur coefficient. The effective resolution was estimated with factor slightly below 1.0, meaning that the image quality corresponds to the nominal resolution of 50cm. The blur coefficients were achieved between 0.39-0.46 for triplet panchromatic images, indicating a satisfying image quality. SNR is in the range of other comparable space borne images which may be caused by de-noising of Pléiades images. The pansharpened images were generated by various methods, and are validated by most common statistical metrics and also visual interpretation. The generated DSM and DTM were achieved with ±1.6m standard deviation in Z (SZ) in relation to a reference DTM.Airbus Defence and SpaceBEU/2014-47912266-01TÜBİTAK/114Y38

Neogene fluvial landscape evolution in the hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert

Dating of extensive alluvial fan surfaces and fluvial features in the hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert, Chile, using cosmogenic nuclides provides unrivalled insights about the onset and variability of aridity. The predominantly hyperarid conditions help to preserve the traces of episodic climatic and/or slow tectonic change. Utilizing single clast exposure dating with cosmogenic 10Be and 21Ne, we determine the termination of episodes of enhanced fluvial erosion and deposition occurring at ~19, ~14, ~9.5 Ma; large scale fluvial modification of the landscape had ceased by ~2–3 Ma. The presence of clasts that record pre-Miocene exposure ages (~28 Ma and ~34 Ma) require stagnant landscape development during the Oligocene. Our data implies an early onset of (hyper-) aridity in the core region of the Atacama Desert, interrupted by wetter but probably still arid periods. The apparent conflict with interpretation that favour a later onset of (hyper-) aridity can be reconciled when the climatic gradients within the Atacama Desert are considered

Aplikasi Penginderaan Jauh dan Sistem Informasi Geografis untuk Pemetaan Kerawanan Penyakit Pernapasan Akibat Erupsi Gunungapi Kelud di Kecamatan Nglegok, Kabupaten Blitar, Jawa Timur

Penelitian terkait penyakit pernapasan dengan material abu vulkanik bertujuan mengkaji citra Pléiades 1A/1B melalui SIG dalam melakukan ekstraksi parameter dan membuat peta tingkat kerawanan penyakit ISPA. Tujuan kedua untuk mengetahui tingkat kerawanan penyakit pernapasan di Kecamatan Nglegok. Ekstaksi parameter diperoleh dari hasil interpretasi visual dengan citra Pléiades 1A/1B. Parameternya adalah blok permukiman, kondisi atap bangunan, dan lebar jalan. Melalui parameter tersebut dilakukan overlay. Data sekunder yang digunakan adalah data curah hujan tahun 2014 dan data penderita penyakit ISPA.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan citra Pléiades 1A/1B dapat digunakan sebagai bahan untuk melakukan ekstraksi data dengan uji akurasinya : blok permukiman sebesar 99,1%; kondisi atap bangunan sebesar 98,5%; dan lebar jalan sebesar 95,5%. Sedangkan tingkat kerawanan penyakit pernapasan akibat erupsi gunungapi Kelud adalah sebagai berikut : tingkat kerawanan tinggi luas areanya 0,037 km2; kerawanan sedang dengan luas 1,74 km2; dan kerawanan rendah sebesar 45,59 km2

Satellite based synthetic aperture radar and optical spatial-temporal information as aid for operational and environmental mine monitoring

A sustainable society is a society that satisfies its resource requirements without endangering the sustainability of these resources. The mineral endowment on the African continent is estimated to be the first or second largest of world reserves. Therefore, it is recognised that the African continent still heavily depends on mineral exports as a key contributor to the gross domestic product (GDP) of various countries. These mining activities, however, do introduce primary and secondary environmental degradation factors. They attract communities to these mining areas, light and heavy industrial establishments occur, giving rise to artisanal activities. This study focussed on satellite RS products as an aid to a mine’s operations and the monitoring of its environment. Effective operational mine management and control ensures a more sustainable and profitable lifecycle for mines. Satellite based RS holds the potential to observe the mine and its surrounding areas at high temporal intervals, different spectral wavelengths and spatial resolutions. The combination of SAR and optical information creates a spatial platform to observe and measure the mine’s operations and the behaviour of specific land cover and land use classes over time and contributes to a better understanding of the mining activities and their influence on the environment within a specific geographical area. This study will introduce an integrated methodology to collect, process and analyse spatial information over a specific targeted mine. This methodology utilises a medium resolution land cover base map, derived from Landsat 8, to understand the predominant land cover types of the surrounding area. Using very high resolution mono- and stereoscopic satellite imagery provides a finer scale analysis and identifies changes in features at a smaller scale. Combining these technologies with the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) applications for precise measurement of surface subsidence or upliftment becomes a spatial toolbox for mine management. This study examines a combination of satellite remote sensing products guided by a systematic workflow methodology to integrate spatial results as an aid for mining operations and environmental monitoring. Some of the results that can be highlighted is the successful land cover classification using the Landsat 8 satellite. The land cover that dominated the Kolomela mine area was the “SHRUBLAND/GRASS” class with a 94% coverage and “MINE” class of 2.6%. Sishen mine had a similar dominated land cover characteristic with a “SHRUBLAND/GRASS” class of 90% and “MINE” class of 4.8%. The Pléiades time-series classification analysis was done using three scenes each acquired at a different time interval. The Sishen and Kolomela mine showed especially changes from the bare soil class to the asphalt or mine class. The Pléiades stereoscopic analysis provided volumetric change detection over small, medium, large and recessed areas. Both the Sishen and Kolomela mines demonstrated height profile changes in each selected category. The last category of results focused on the SAR technology to measure within millimetre accuracy the subsidence and upliftment behaviour of surface areas over time. The Royal Bafokeng Platinum tailings pond area was measured using 74 TerraSAR-X scenes. The tailings wall area was confirmed as stable with natural subsidence that occurred in its surrounding area due to seasonal changes of the soil during rainy and dry periods. The Chuquicamata mine as a large open pit copper mine area was analysed using 52 TerraSAR-X scenes. The analysis demonstrated significant vertical surface movement over some of the dumping sites. It is the wish of the researcher that this dissertation and future research scholars will continue to contribute in this scientific field. These contributions can only assist the mining sector to continuously improve its mining operations as well as its monitoring of the primary as well as the secondary environmental impacts to ensure improved sustainability for the next generation.Environmental SciencesM. Sc. (Environmental Science

Utilisation de la très haute résolution spatiale pour la caractérisation des habitats de rongeurs, vecteurs de zoonoses à La Réunion

Connaître la distribution des espèces vectrices de zoonoses est fondamentale pour comprendre les dynamiques épidémiologiques et caractériser les zones à risque. Cette distribution peut être appréhendée à différentes échelles : régionalement, l'aire de répartition de ces espèces définit les limites d'occurrence de la transmission d'agents pathogènes et, localement, leurs niches déterminent l'aléa. Cette dernière échelle requiert une connaissance très précise des milieux qui peut être acquise par l'analyse d'images satellite à très haute résolution spatiale. Dans le cadre d'un projet de recherche sur la leptospirose à La Réunion (LeptOI), cette étude propose de mesurer le potentiel d'utilisation d'une image Pléiades (produit rééchantillonné à 50 cm) pour caractériser la distribution locale de différents petits mammifères terrestres autour de l'Etang de Saint-Paul. Trois campagnes de piégeage ont permis la capture de 134 animaux appartenant à quatre des cinq espèces présentes à La Réunion (Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus, Suncus murinus et Tenrec ecaudatus). Une analyse orientée-objet de l'image Pléiades a permis de discriminer dix classes d'occupation des sols avec une précision totale de 83,6%. Des indices paysagers ont été calculés à partir de cette classification autour de chacun des pièges (distances les plus courtes aux classes d&#8217;occupation, densité de contours et pourcentages de surface des classes au sein de zones tampon de 50 et de 100 mètres). Trois zones ("humide", "anthropisée" et "sèche") sont clairement discriminées par ces variables, qui pourront être utilisées comme déterminants écologiques de différents profils épidémiologiques : la zone humide étant propice à la leptospirose et la zone anthropisée étant un lieu de cooccurrence des quatre espèces et ainsi potentiellement une zone d'échanges de pathogènes