Mesoscale monitoring of the soil freeze/thaw boundary from orbital microwave radiometry

A technique was developed for mapping the spatial extent of frozen soils from the spectral characteristics of the 10.7 to 37 GHz radiobrightness. Through computational models for the spectral radiobrightness of diurnally heated freesing soils, a distinctive radiobrightness signature was identified for frozen soils, and the signature was cast as a discriminant for unsupervised classification. In addition to large area images, local area spatial averages of radiobrightness were calculated for each radiobrightness channel at 7 meteorologic sites within the test region. Local area averages at the meteorologic sites were used to define the preliminary boundaries in the Freeze Indicator discriminate. Freeze Indicator images based upon Nimbus 7, Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) data effectively map temporal variations in the freeze/thaw pattern for the northern Great Plains at the time scale of days. Diurnal thermal gradients have a small but measurable effect upon the SMMR spectral gradient. Scale-space filtering can be used to improve the spatial resolution of a freeze/thaw classified image

A yearlong comparison of plot‐scale and satellite footprint‐scale 19 and 37 GHz brightness of the Alaskan North Slope

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/95289/1/jgrd9836.pd

Literature review of the remote sensing of natural resources

Abstracts of 596 documents related to remote sensors or the remote sensing of natural resources by satellite, aircraft, or ground-based stations are presented. Topics covered include general theory, geology and hydrology, agriculture and forestry, marine sciences, urban land use, and instrumentation. Recent documents not yet cited in any of the seven information sources used for the compilation are summarized. An author/key word index is provided

Use of satellite-derived heterogeneous surface soil moisture for numerical weather prediction, The

Summer 1996.Bibliography: pages [296]-320

Earth remote sensing with SMOS, Aquarius and SMAP missions

The first three of a series of new generation satellites operating at L-band microwave frequencies have been launch in the last decade. L-band is particularly sensitive to the presence of water content in the scene under observation, being considered the optimal bandwidth for measuring the Earth's global surface soil moisture (SM) over land and sea surface salinity (SSS) over oceans. Monitoring these two essential climate variables is needed to further improve our understanding of the Earth's water and energy cycles. Additionally, remote sensing at L-band has been proved useful for monitoring the stability in ice sheets and measuring sea ice thickness. The ESA's Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS, 2009-2017) is the first mission specifically launched to monitor SM and SSS. It carries on-board a novel synthetic aperture radiometer with multi-angular and full-polarization capabilities. NASA's Aquarius (2011-2015) was the second mission, devoted to SSS monitoring with a combined real aperture radiometer/scatterometer system that allows correcting for sea surface roughness. NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP, 2015-2018) is the second mission dedicated to measure SM. It carries on-board a real aperture full-polarimetric radiometer and a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for enhanced spatial resolution and freeze/thaw detection. This Ph.D. Thesis is focused on analyzing the geophysical information that can be obtained from L-band SMOS, Aquarius and SMAP observations. The research activities are structured as follows: -Inter-comparison of radiometer brightness temperatures at selected targets. A novel methodology to measure the consistency between SMOS and Aquarius radiometric data over the entire dynamic range of observations (land, ice and ocean) is proposed. It allows detecting spatial/temporal differences or biases without latitudinal limitations neither cross-overs. This is a necessary step to combine observations from different instruments in a long term dataset for environmental, meteorological, hydrological or climatological studies. -Ice thickness effects on passive remote sensing of Antarctic continental ice. The relationship between Antarctic ice thickness spatial variations and changes detected by SMOS and Aquarius measurements is explored. The emissivity of Antarctica is analyzed to disentangle the role of the geophysical contributions (snow layers at different depths and subglacial lakes) to the observed signal. The stability of the L-band signal in the East Antarctic Plateau, calibration/validation site for microwave satellite missions, is assessed. -Microwave/optical synergy for multi-scale soil moisture sensing. The relationship of SM and land surface temperature (LST) dynamics is evaluated to better understand the fundamental SM-LST link through evapotranspiration and thermal inertia physical processes. A new approach to measure the critical soil moisture from time-series of spaceborne SM and LST is proposed. The synergistic use of SMOS SM and remotely sensed LST for refining SM disaggregation algorithms is also analyzed. -Comparison of passive and active microwave vegetation parameters. Recent research has shown that microwave vegetation opacity, sensitive to biomass and water content, and albedo, related to canopy structure, can be retrieved from passive L-band observations. The relationships between these two parameters and radar-derived vegetation descriptors have been explored using airborne observations from the SMAP Validation Experiment 2012 (SMAPVEX12). The obtained relations could allow for improved SM retrievals in active-passive systems, and also to estimate the vegetation properties at high resolution using SAR observations. The Ph.D. Thesis has been developed within the activities of the Barcelona Expert Centre (BEC). The presented results contribute to the use of L-band remote sensing in different scientific disciplines such as climate, cryosphere, hydrology and ecology.Els primers tres d'una sèrie de satèl·lits de nova generació funcionant a la banda L han sigut llançats a l'última dècada. La banda L es molt sensible a la presència d'aigua a l'escena observada, sent considerada òptima per mesurar la humitat del sòl (SM) i la salinitat del mar (SSS) de manera global a la superfície de la Terra. Monitoritzar aquestes dues variables climàtiques essencials es necessari per millorar el nostre coneixement dels cicles de l'aigua i l'energia. La teledetecció a banda L també ha sigut útil per monitoritzar l'estabilitat de les capes de gel i mesurar el gruix de gel marí. La missió Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS, 2009-2017) de l'ESA és la primera específicament llançada per monitoritzar SM i SSS. Porta un nou radiòmetre d'apertura sintètica amb capacitat multiangular i polarització completa. La missió Aquarius (2011-2015) de la NASA va ser la segona, dedicada a monitoritzar SSS amb un sistema de radiòmetre/escateròmetre d’apertura real que permet corregir la rugositat de la superfície del mar. La missió Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP, 2015-2018) de la NASA és la segona dedicada a mesurar SM. Porta un radiòmetre d'apertura real i polarització completa i un radar d'apertura sintètica (SAR) per una millor resolució espaial i detecció de congelació/descongelació. Aquesta tesi està enfocada en analitzar la informació geofísica que pot obtenir-se de les observacions a banda L d'SMOS, Aquarius i SMAP. La seva investigació està estructurada com: -Intercomparació de temperatures de brillantor en zones seleccionades. Es proposa un nou mètode per mesurar la consistència entre les dades radiomètriques d'SMOS i Aquarius sobre el rang dinàmic complet d'observacions (terra, gel, oceà). Això permet detectar diferències espaials/temporals o biaixos sense limitacions latitudinals ni creuaments. Aquest pas es necessari per combinar observacions de diferents instruments en un llarg conjunt de dades per estudis mediambientals, hidrològics o climatològics. -Efecte de gruix de gel en teledetecció de gel continental a l'Antàrtida. S'explora la relació entre les variacions espaials del gruix de gel antàrtic i els canvis detectats a les mesures d'SMOS i Aquarius. L'emissivitat de l'Antàrtida es analitzada per discernir el rol de les contribucions geofísiques (capes de gel a diferents profunditats i llacs subglacials) al senyal observat. S'avalua l'estabilitat del senyal a banda L sobre la zona est de l'altiplà antàrtic, lloc per calibratge/validació de satèl·lits de microones. -Sinèrgia de microones/òptic per teledetecció de SM multiescala. S'avalua la correlació entre la SM i la temperatura de la superfície del sòl (LST) per entendre millor la relació SM-LST a través de processos físics d'evapotranspiració i inèrcia tèrmica. Es proposa un nou mètode per mesurar la humitat crítica utilitzant sèries temporals de SM i LST de satèl·lit. S'analitza l'ús de la SM de SMOS amb la LST de teledetecció per refinar algorismes de desagregació de SM. -Comparació de paràmetres passius i actius de microones relatius a la vegetació. Recent investigació ha mostrat que l'opacitat, sensible a la biomassa i el contingut d'aigua, i l'albedo, relacionat amb l'estructura, poden ser recuperats d'observacions passives a banda L. S'exploren les relacions entre aquests dos paràmetres i estimadors de vegetació derivats de radar utilitzant les observacions d'avió de l'experiment de validació d'SMAP 2012 (SMAPVEX12). Les relacions obtingudes podrien permetre millors recuperacions de SM en sistemes actius/passius i estimar les propietats de la vegetació a alta resolució utilitzant mesures de SAR. La tesi s'ha desenvolupat dins les activitats del Barcelona Expert Centre (BEC). Els resultats presentats contribueixen a l'ús de la banda L a diferents disciplines científiques com la climatologia, la criosfera, la hidrologia i l'ecologia

Earth Resources: A continuing bibliography with indexes, issue 11, October 1976

This bibliography lists 714 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between July 1976 and September 1976. 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

Assimilation de données satellitaires pour le suivi des ressources en eau dans la zone Euro-Méditerranée

Une estimation plus précise de l'état des variables des surfaces terrestres est requise afin d'améliorer notre capacité à comprendre, suivre et prévoir le cycle hydrologique terrestre dans diverses régions du monde. En particulier, les zones méditerranéennes sont souvent caractérisées par un déficit en eau du sol affectant la croissance de la végétation. Les dernières simulations du GIEC (Groupe d'Experts Intergouvernemental sur l'Evolution du Climat) indiquent qu'une augmentation de la fréquence des sécheresses et des vagues de chaleur dans la région Euro-Méditerranée est probable. Il est donc crucial d'améliorer les outils et l'utilisation des observations permettant de caractériser la dynamique des processus des surfaces terrestres de cette région. Les modèles des surfaces terrestres ou LSMs (Land Surface Models) ont été développés dans le but de représenter ces processus à diverses échelles spatiales. Ils sont habituellement forçés par des données horaires de variables atmosphériques en point de grille, telles que la température et l'humidité de l'air, le rayonnement solaire et les précipitations. Alors que les LSMs sont des outils efficaces pour suivre de façon continue les conditions de surface, ils présentent encore des défauts provoqués par les erreurs dans les données de forçages, dans les valeurs des paramètres du modèle, par l'absence de représentation de certains processus, et par la mauvaise représentation des processus dans certaines régions et certaines saisons. Il est aussi possible de suivre les conditions de surface depuis l'espace et la modélisation des variables des surfaces terrestres peut être améliorée grâce à l'intégration dynamique de ces observations dans les LSMs. La télédétection spatiale micro-ondes à basse fréquence est particulièrement utile dans le contexte du suivi de ces variables à l'échelle globale ou continentale. Elle a l'avantage de pouvoir fournir des observations par tout-temps, de jour comme de nuit. Plusieurs produits utiles pour le suivi de la végétation et du cycle hydrologique sont déjà disponibles. Ils sont issus de radars en bande C tels que ASCAT (Advanced Scatterometer) ou Sentinel-1. L'assimilation de ces données dans un LSM permet leur intégration de façon cohérente avec la représentation des processus. Les résultats obtenus à partir de l'intégration de données satellitaires fournissent une estimation de l'état des variables des surfaces terrestres qui sont généralement de meilleure qualité que les simulations sans assimilation de données et que les données satellitaires elles-mêmes. L'objectif principal de ce travail de thèse a été d'améliorer la représentation des variables des surfaces terrestres reliées aux cycles de l'eau et du carbone dans le modèle ISBA grâce à l'assimilation d'observations de rétrodiffusion radar (sigma°) provenant de l'instrument ASCAT. Un opérateur d'observation capable de représenter les sigma° ASCAT à partir de variables simulées par le modèle ISBA a été développé. Une version du WCM (water cloud model) a été mise en œuvre avec succès sur la zone Euro-Méditerranée. Les valeurs simulées ont été comparées avec les observations satellitaires. Une quantification plus détaillée de l'impact de divers facteurs sur le signal a été faite sur le sud-ouest de la France. L'étude de l'impact de la tempête Klaus sur la forêt des Landes a montré que le WCM est capable de représenter un changement brutal de biomasse de la végétation. Le WCM est peu efficace sur les zones karstiques et sur les surfaces agricoles produisant du blé. Dans ce dernier cas, le problème semble provenir d'un décalage temporel entre l'épaisseur optique micro-ondes de la végétation et l'indice de surface foliaire de la végétation. Enfin, l'assimilation directe des sigma° ASCAT a été évaluée sur le sud-ouest de la France.More accurate estimates of land surface conditions are important for enhancing our ability to understand, monitor, and predict key variables of the terrestrial water cycle in various parts of the globe. In particular, the Mediterranean area is frequently characterized by a marked impact of the soil water deficit on vegetation growth. The latest IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) simulations indicate that occurrence of droughts and warm spells in the Euro-Mediterranean region are likely to increase. It is therefore crucial to improve the ways of understanding, observing and simulating the dynamics of the land surface processes in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Land surface models (LSMs) have been developed for the purpose of representing the land surface processes at various spatial scales. They are usually forced by hourly gridded atmospheric variables such as air temperature, air humidity, solar radiation, precipitation, and are used to simulate land surface states and fluxes. While LSMs can provide a continuous monitoring of land surface conditions, they still show discrepancies due to forcing and parameter errors, missing processes and inadequate model physics for particular areas or seasons. It is also possible to observe the land surface conditions from space. The modelling of land surface variables can be improved through the dynamical integration of these observations into LSMs. Remote sensing observations are particularly useful in this context because they are able to address global and continental scales. Low frequency microwave remote sensing has advantages because it can provide regular observations in all-weather conditions and at either daytime or night-time. A number of satellite-derived products relevant to the hydrological and vegetation cycles are already available from C-band radars such as the Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) or Sentinel-1. Assimilating these data into LSMs permits their integration in the process representation in a consistent way. The results obtained from assimilating satellites products provide land surface variables estimates that are generally superior to the model estimates or satellite observations alone. The main objective of this thesis was to improve the representation of land surface variables linked to the terrestrial water and carbon cycles in the ISBA LSM through the assimilation of ASCAT backscatter (sigma°) observations. An observation operator capable of representing the ASCAT sigma° from the ISBA simulated variables was developed. A version of the water cloud model (WCM) was successfully implemented over the Euro-Mediterranean area. The simulated values were compared with those observed from space. A more detailed quantification of the influence of various factors on the signal was made over southwestern France. Focusing on the Klaus storm event in the Landes forest, it was shown that the WCM was able to represent abrupt changes in vegetation biomass. It was also found that the WCM had shortcomings over karstic areas and over wheat croplands. It was shown that the latter was related to a discrepancy between the seasonal cycle of microwave vegetation optical depth (VOD) and leaf area index (LAI). Finally, the direct assimilation of ASCAT sigma° observations was assessed over southwestern France

Multiscale soil moisture retrievals from microwave remote sensing observations

Memoria de tesis doctoral presentada por María Piles Guillem para optar al grado de Doctora por la Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), realizada bajo la dirección del Dr. Adriano Camps y de la Dra. Mercè Vall-llossera.-- 159 pages[EN] Soil moisture is a key state variable of the Earth’s system; it is the main variable that links the Earth’s water, energy and carbon cycles. Soil moisture variations affect the evolution of weather and climate over continental regions, and accurate observations of the Earth’s changing soil moisture are needed to achieve sustainable land and water management, and to enhance weather and climate forecasting skill, flood prediction and drought monitoring. This Ph.D. Thesis focuses on measuring the Earth’s surface soil moisture from space at a global and regional scale. [...][ES] La humedad del suelo es la variable que regula los intercambios de agua, energía, y carbono entre la tierra y la atmósfera. Mediciones precisas de humedad son necesarias para una gestión sostenible de los recursos de agua del planeta, para mejorar las predicciones meteorológicas y climáticas, y para la detección y monitorización de sequías e inundaciones. Esta tesis se centra en la medición de la humedad superficial de la Tierra desde el espacio, a escalas global y regional. [...]This work has been funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education under the FPU grant AP2005-4912 and projects ESP2007-65667-C04-02 and AYA2008-05906-C02-01/ESPPeer Reviewe

Estimation of turbulent surface heat fluxes using sequences of remotely sensed land surface temperature

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2011.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 330-366).Fluxes of heat and moisture at the land-surface play a significant role in the climate system. These fluxes interact with the overlying atmosphere and influence the characteristics of the planetary boundary layer (e.g. temperature and water vapor content), ultimately influencing the presence and growth of low level clouds and precipitation. Nevertheless, there is currently no network of in situ sensors that can map these fluxes globally. Recently a number of studies have focused on the estimation of surface energy flux components based on the assimilation of land surface temperature (LST) within a variational data assimilation (VDA) framework. This study provides the theoretical basis for why sequences of LST contain the necessary information to estimate surface fluxes with minimal reliance on ancillary data and empirical parameterizations. Furthermore this study addresses one of the main drawbacks of the existing VDA models. They use the simple force-restore equation for soil heat diffusion as a physical constraint. The force-restore equation provides a simplified description of the LST dynamics. Also, its performance is highly affected by the specification of a deep ground temperature. These shortcomings cause significant errors in the diurnal dynamics of heat diffusion in the soil and ultimately the retrieval of components of surface energy balance. This study advances the VDA scheme by using the full heat diffusion equation as a constraint in lieu of the forcerestore approximation. The new VDA scheme is tested over several experimental field sites. The results show that inclusion of the heat diffusion equation decreases the phase error associated with the ground heat flux diurnal cycle, and improves surface heat flux estimation. The VDA scheme is further advanced by incorporating model uncertainty in order to account for measurement and model errors. Tests indicate that the VDA scheme with model uncertainty captures measurement errors as well as structural model errors. In order to provide coupled estimates of surface heat fluxes and vegetation dynamics, remotely sensed LST and fraction of photosynthetically active radiation are assimilated into a surface energy balance and a vegetation dynamics model. The application of the assimilation over West Africa shows that the scheme provides reliable estimates of important vegetation dynamics parameters that are required for understanding the role of plant phenology on surface energy balance and vice-versa.by Sayed Mohyeddin Bateni.Ph.D