A DNA algorithm for the batimetric mapping in the lagoon of Venice using QuickBird multispectral data.

During the last decade, several studies have focused on the use of passive multispectral remote sensing to derive the bathymetry in coastal zone. In particular, data acquired with the SPOT and the Landsat TM/ETM+ sensors have been used to derive models of bathymetry at medium scales. Until now, the successful application of passive remote sensing techniques to bathymetry mapping was restricted to costal zones with clear water and small changes in the seabed, but with the availability of the high resolution satellites (IKONOS, Eros-A1, QuickBird, SPOT-5), researchers have a new powerful tools to study environmental phenomenon at large scale. This paper focus on the use of high resolution imagery to estimate water depths in a lagoon environment. Starting from the depth of penetration zone method proposed by Jupp for costal bathymetry mapping, a new genetic algorithm was developed for lagoon bathymetry mapping. The potential use of the QuickBird multispectral data, together with the new algorithm developed, was tested in a complex environment such as the lagoon of Venice (Italy). Several tests have been performed into five different test sites (S.Erasmo littoral, Treporti canal, S. Felice canal, Canesa canal and Bari canal), where 18 radiometric transects were traced to study the lagoon bathymetry. The accuracy of the batimetric measures was assessed by using other known soundings depth points within the test area. An interesting correlation between the real and the computed bathymetry was found. The limit of a such analysis lies in the correct calibration of the model, that, for the complex lagoon ecosystem, is not a simple task

Quantitative evaluation of water bodies dynamic by means of thermal infrared and multispectral surveys on the Venetian lagoon

Surveys employing a two channel Daedalus infrared scanner and multispectral photography were performed. The spring waning tide, the velocity of the water mass, and the types of suspended matter were among the topics studied. Temperature, salinity, sediment transport, and ebb stream velocity were recorded. The bottom topography was correlated with the dynamic characteristics of the sea surface

A preliminary evaluation of ERTS-1 images on the volcanic areas of Southern Italy

The test site selected for the investigation covers nearly all the regions of active and quiescent volcanism in southern Italy, i.e. the eastern part of the island of Sicily, the Aeolian Islands and the area of Naples. The three active European volcanoes (Etna, Stromboli and Vesuvius) are included. The investigation is in the frame of a program for the surveillance of active volcanoes by geophysical (including remote sensing thermal methods) and geochemical methods. By the multispectral analysis of ERTS-1 data it is intended to study the spectral behavior of the volcanic materials as well as the major geological lineaments with special reference to those associated with the volcanic region. Secondary objectives are also the determination of the hydrographic network seasonal behavior and the relationship between the vegetation cover and the different type of soils and rocks

Results of Skylab investigation over Italy

The author has identified the following significant results. Multispectral high resolution photography of S190A was successfully applied to the detection of paleoriverbeds in flat lands. Results of SL-3 mission were compared to those of LANDSAT for two regional geological surveys (linear structures) on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. On Sicily, the seasonal conditions were unfavorable for Skylab while LANDSAT played a major role in discovering long, unknown lineaments of great interest for the geodynamics of the area. On Sardinia, owing to the vegetation type and to the geomorphic conditions, the Skylab imagery was successfully employed to describe the network of linears, both regional and local. Results can be used to study the relationship between linears, actual fracturing and the occurrence of mineral deposits

A new methodology for in-flight radiometric calibration of the MIVIS imaging sensor

Sensor radiometric calibration is of great importance in computing physical values of radiance of the investigated targets, but often airborne scanners are not equipped with any in-flight radiometric calibration facility. Consequently, the radiometric calibration or airborne systems usually relies only on pre-flight and vicarious calibration or on indirect approaches. This paper introduces an experimental approach that makes use of on-board calibration techniques to perform the radiometric calibration of the CNR’s MIVIS (Multispectral Infrared and Visible Imaging Spectrometer) airborne scanner. This approach relies on the use of an experimental optical test bench originally designed at Politecnico di Milano University (Italy), called MIVIS Flying Test Bench (MFTB), to perform the first On-The-Fly (OTF) calibration of the MIVIS reflective spectral bands. The main task of this study is to estimate how large are the effects introduced by aircraft motion (e.g., e.m. noise or vibrations) and by environment conditions (e.g., environment temperature) on the radiance values measured by the MIVIS sensor during the fly. This paper describes the first attempt to perform an On-The-Fly (OTF) calibration of the MIVIS reflective spectral bands (ranging from 430 nm to 2.500 nm). Analysis of results seems to point out limitations of traditional radiometric calibration methodology based only on pre-flight approaches, with important implications for data quality assessment

Contribution of Skylab multispectral imagery to the remote sensing studies of Mount Etna volcano

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM) program: Study of geological structure of Sicily and other Italian areas

The usefulness of thermal inertia mapping in discriminating geolithological units was investigated using Sardinia and the Gulf of Orosei as test sites. Software designed for LANDSAT data were modified and improved for HCMM tapes. A first attempt was made to compare the geological cross section, the topography, the IR radiance, and the thermal inertia along selected profiles of the test site. Thermal inertia profiles appear smoothed in comparison with the thermal radiance. The lowest apparent thermal inertia (ATI) was found on granitic and basaltic outcrops where their image is of sufficient extent, while ATI is higher on carbonatic and dolomitic or moist deposits. Almost every fault is marked by a jump of ATI, the interval being sometimes of the order of one pixel. This seems to demonstrate the ability of ATI to detect contacts or tectonically disturbed zones with a good resolution. It seems more difficult to measure the differences in ATI between homogeneous materials having different lithology. Ground surveys conducted and a simulation model of diurnal temperatures of rocks having different thermal inertia are discussed

Study of geological structure of Sicily and other Italian areas

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Skylab multispectral photography of Italian volcanology, geology, rice fields, and Paleo river beds

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Multispectral photography of Italian volcanic activity, vegetation, and Paleo River beds

There are no author-identified significant results in this report