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At least 379 records · Page 21

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DOE OSTI2024

Monitoring water quality in the lower Kansas River using remote sensing

Abstract We demonstrate how to combine remote sensing data from satellite imagery (Sentinel‐2) with in situ water quality gauging (USGS Super Gages and the Gybe hyperspectral radiometer) to create spatially dense maps of water quality parameters (chlorophyll‐a concentration, turbidity, and nitrate plus nitrite concentration) along the lower Kansas River. The water quality maps are created using locally tuned models of the target water quality parameters, and this study describes the steps used to design, calibrate, and validate the empirical correlations. Water quality parameters such as chlorophyll‐a concentration are correlated with well‐studied absorption and scattering features in the visible spectrum (roughly 400–700 nm). Nutrients (such as nitrate plus nitrite concentration) lack strong absorption features in the visible spectrum, and in those cases we describe a novel surrogate data modeling approach that identifies overlapping water parcels between the in situ gauging and the remote sensing imagery. Measurements from the overlapping water parcels yield excellent correlations () for the target water quality parameters for limited windows of time (or limited sections of river reaches). Examples are provided illustrating how the water quality maps can be used to track river inputs from ungauged sources (such as creeks), or reveal the mixing patterns at the confluences.

Tufillaro, Nicholas↗

NASA NTRS1989

Cloud cover determination in polar regions from satellite imagery

The objectives are to develop a suitable validation data set for evaluating the effectiveness of the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) algorithm for cloud retrieval in polar regions, to identify limitations of current procedures and to explore potential means to remedy them using textural classifiers, and to compare synoptic cloud data from model runs with observations. Toward the first goal, a polar data set consisting of visible, thermal, and passive microwave data was developed. The AVHRR and SMMR data were digitally merged to a polar stereographic projection with an effective pixel size of 5 sq km. With this data set, two unconventional methods of classifying the imagery for the analysis of polar clouds and surfaces were examined: one based on fuzzy sets theory and another based on a trained neural network. An algorithm for cloud detection was developed from an early test version of the ISCCP algorithm. This algorithm includes the identification of surface types with passive microwave, then temporal tests at each pixel location in the cloud detection phase. Cloud maps and clear sky radiance composites for 5 day periods are produced. Algorithm testing and validation was done with both actural AVHRR/SMMR data, and simulated imagery. From this point in the algorithm, groups of cloud pixels are examined for their spectral and textural characteristics, and a procedure is developed for the analysis of cloud patterns utilizing albedo, IR temperature, and texture. In a completion of earlier work, empirical analyses of arctic cloud cover were explored through manual interpretations of DMSP imagery and compared to U.S. Air Force 3D-nephanalysis. Comparisons of observed cloudiness from existing climatologies to patterns computed by the GISS climate model were also made.

Barry, R. G.↗

NASA NTRS2005

Development and Application of Non-Linear Image Enhancement and Multi-Sensor Fusion Techniques for Hazy and Dark Imaging

The purpose of this research was to develop enhancement and multi-sensor fusion algorithms and techniques to make it safer for the pilot to fly in what would normally be considered Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions, where pilot visibility is severely restricted due to fog, haze or other weather phenomenon. We proposed to use the non-linear Multiscale Retinex (MSR) as the basic driver for developing an integrated enhancement and fusion engine. When we started this research, the MSR was being applied primarily to grayscale imagery such as medical images, or to three-band color imagery, such as that produced in consumer photography: it was not, however, being applied to other imagery such as that produced by infrared image sources. However, we felt that it was possible by using the MSR algorithm in conjunction with multiple imaging modalities such as long-wave infrared (LWIR), short-wave infrared (SWIR), and visible spectrum (VIS), we could substantially improve over the then state-of-the-art enhancement algorithms, especially in poor visibility conditions. We proposed the following tasks: 1) Investigate the effects of applying the MSR to LWIR and SWIR images. This consisted of optimizing the algorithm in terms of surround scales, and weights for these spectral bands; 2) Fusing the LWIR and SWIR images with the VIS images using the MSR framework to determine the best possible representation of the desired features; 3) Evaluating different mixes of LWIR, SWIR and VIS bands for maximum fog and haze reduction, and low light level compensation; 4) Modifying the existing algorithms to work with video sequences. Over the course of the 3 year research period, we were able to accomplish these tasks and report on them at various internal presentations at NASA Langley Research Center, and in presentations and publications elsewhere. A description of the work performed under the tasks is provided in Section 2. The complete list of relevant publications during the research periods is provided in Section 5. This research also resulted in the generation of intellectual property.

Rahman, Zia-ur↗

NASA NTRS1982

Familiarization with LANDSAT imagery

Learning objectives of the activities provided include: (1) reading the annotation of a LANDSAT image; (2) becoming acquainted with the characteristics of 1:1,000,000 scale transparencies and prints of MSS images; (3) noting the general information visible in LANDSAT photo products; (4) observing changes of appearance of any ground feature or class in the black and white images made from the four MSS bands and the characteristic color of each class in color composites; (5) determining the degree to which a LANDSAT image meets map accuracy standards and can be fitted to map projections; (6) assessing the effects of LANDSAT enlargements and scale changes and of the limitations of satellite resolution relative to aerial photos; (7) observing the influence of time of acquisition (season) on a scene; (8) getting a feel for image quality as dependent on processing and photoreproduction; (9) appreciating the characteristics of the RBV and thermal band imagery obtained from LANDSAT-3; and (10) becoming familiar with certain attributes of adjacent LANDSAT images which permit them to be joined in mosaics and to be viewed in stereo.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1989

Regional analysis of tertiary volcanic Calderas (western U.S.) using Landsat Thematic Mapper imagery

The Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery of the Basin and Range province of southern Nevada was analyzed to identify and map volcanic rock assemblages at three Tertiary calderas. It was found that the longer-wavelength visible and the NIR TM Bands 3, 5, and 7 provide more effective lithologic discrimination than the shorter-wavelength bands, due partly to deeper penetration of the longer-wavelength bands, resulting in more lithologically driven radiances. Shorter-wavelength TM Bands 1 and 2 are affected more by surficial weathering products including desert varnish which may or may not provide an indirect link to lithologic identity. Guidelines for lithologic analysis of volcanic terrains using Landsat TM imagery are outlined.

Spatz, David M.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Suspended sediment observations from ERTS-1.

Satellite imagery from four successful ERTS-1 passes over Delaware Bay during different portions of the tidal cycle are interpreted with special emphasis on visibility of suspended sediment and its use as a natural tracer for gross circulation patterns. The MSS red band (band 5) appears to give the best contrast, although the sediment patterns are represented by only a few neighboring shades of grey. Color density slicing improves the differentiation of turbidity levels. However, color additive enhancements are of limited value since most of the information is in a single color band. The ability of ERTS-1 to present a synoptic view of the surface circulation over the entire bay is shown to be a valuable and unique contribution of ERTS-1 to coastal oceanography.

Klemas, V.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Satellite studies of turbidity and circulation patterns in Delaware Bay

Satellite imagery from four successful ERTS-1 passes over Delaware Bay during different portions of the tidal cycle are interpreted with special emphasis on visibility of suspended sediment and its use as a natural tracer for gross circulation patters. The MSS red band (band 5) appears to give the best contrast, although the sediment patterns are represented by only a few neighboring shades of grey. Color density slicing improves the differentiation of turbidity levels. However, color additive enhancements are of limited value since most of the information is in a single color band. The ability of ERTS-1 to present a synoptic view of the surface circulation over the entire bay is shown to be a valuable and unique contribution of ERTS-1 to coastal oceanography.

Klemas, V.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Nature and origin of mineral coatings on volcanic rocks of the Black Mountain, Stonewall Mountain and Kane Springs wash volcanic centers, southern Nevada

Mineral coatings, including desert varnish on volcanic rocks of the semi-arid Basin and Range province are composted of amorphous, translucent films of Fe, Mn, Si, and Al rich compounds. Coatings are chiefly thin films that impregnate intergranularly to depths of about 0.1 to 0.3 mm, rarely deeper. Sixteen coating sections and subsurface interiors were probed by SEM; 20 samples were scanned by infrated spectrometry; 10 samples were scanned for visible-near IR spectra; inductin coupling plasma analyses were collected on 34 samples; 2 desert varnish surgaces were investigated by optical density slice imagery; a few XRD analyses were conducted in addition to the 50 reported in the last period; thin section observation continued; and imagery processing focused on classification techniques. In late May, approximately 10 field days were spent at the Stonewall and Black Mountain study sited conducting more detailed mapping and observation base on imagery results and collecting spectra with the Collins Field Spectrometer. Approximately 100 spectral analyses were collected and are currently being processed.

Taranik, James V.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Cloud and surface textural features in polar regions

The study examines the textural signatures of clouds, ice-covered mountains, solid and broken sea ice and floes, and open water. The textural features are computed from sum and difference histogram and gray-level difference vector statistics defined at various pixel displacement distances derived from Landsat multispectral scanner data. Polar cloudiness, snow-covered mountainous regions, solid sea ice, glaciers, and open water have distinguishable texture features. This suggests that textural measures can be successfully applied to the detection of clouds over snow-covered mountains, an ability of considerable importance for the modeling of snow-melt runoff. However, broken stratocumulus cloud decks and thin cirrus over broken sea ice remain difficult to distinguish texturally. It is concluded that even with high spatial resolution imagery, it may not be possible to distinguish broken stratocumulus and thin clouds from sea ice in the marginal ice zone using the visible channel textural features alone.

Welch, Ronald M.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Synthetic Vision Enhances Situation Awareness and RNP Capabilities for Terrain-Challenged Approaches

The Synthetic Vision Systems (SVS) Project of Aviation Safety Program is striving to eliminate poor visibility as a causal factor in aircraft accidents as well as enhance operational capabilities of all aircraft through the display of computer generated imagery derived from an onboard database of terrain, obstacle, and airport information. To achieve these objectives, NASA 757 flight test research was conducted at the Eagle-Vail, Colorado airport to evaluate three SVS display types (Head-Up Display, Head-Down Size A, Head-Down Size X) and two terrain texture methods (photo-realistic, generic) in comparison to the simulated Baseline Boeing-757 Electronic Attitude Direction Indicator and Navigation / Terrain Awareness and Warning System displays. These independent variables were evaluated for situation awareness, path error, and workload while making approaches to Runway 25 and 07 and during simulated engine-out Cottonwood 2 and KREMM departures. The results of the experiment showed significantly improved situation awareness, performance, and workload for SVS concepts compared to the Baseline displays and confirmed the retrofit capability of the Head-Up Display and Size A SVS concepts. The research also demonstrated that the pathway and pursuit guidance used within the SVS concepts achieved required navigation performance (RNP) criteria.

Kramer, Lynda J.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Flight Test Evaluation of Synthetic Vision Concepts at a Terrain Challenged Airport

NASA's Synthetic Vision Systems (SVS) Project is striving to eliminate poor visibility as a causal factor in aircraft accidents as well as enhance operational capabilities of all aircraft through the display of computer generated imagery derived from an onboard database of terrain, obstacle, and airport information. To achieve these objectives, NASA 757 flight test research was conducted at the Eagle-Vail, Colorado airport to evaluate three SVS display types (Head-up Display, Head-Down Size A, Head-Down Size X) and two terrain texture methods (photo-realistic, generic) in comparison to the simulated Baseline Boeing-757 Electronic Attitude Direction Indicator and Navigation/Terrain Awareness and Warning System displays. The results of the experiment showed significantly improved situation awareness, performance, and workload for SVS concepts compared to the Baseline displays and confirmed the retrofit capability of the Head-Up Display and Size A SVS concepts. The research also demonstrated that the tunnel guidance display concept used within the SVS concepts achieved required navigation performance (RNP) criteria.

Kramer, Lynda J.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Processed Surface Imagery & Raster Imagery taken onboard TigerShark (U3) UAS

Land-surface orthomosaic imagery derived from the images collected using the Micasense Altum Imager on board the UAS TigerShark (U3) on March 11th, 2021 at an altitude of 2000 ft. The Altum takes images of the land surface across five visible bands and one long wave infrared thermal band. The photogrametry software Agisoft PhotoScan v 1.4 is used to align and stitch the images into a larger composet image using the technique of structure from motion image capture to construct a dense cloud and 3-D model of the surface, which is used to produce a digital elevation model of the terraine surveyed and orthomosaic imagery. This dataset contains the raster calculated orthomosaics of various vegetative indicies, which are used to indicate plant health and land surface characteristics, including Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (GNDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), surface temperature, and Enhanced_vegetation_index (EVI). These orthomosaics were collected west of the Starkville, MS, airport, and include natural, agricultural, and industrial land coverage. The images have a resolution of 0.2 m/pix.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS2001

Airborne Hyperspectral Imagery for the Detection of Agricultural Crop Stress

Multispectral digital imagery from aircraft or satellite is presently being used to derive basic assessments of crop health for growers and others involved in the agricultural industry. Research indicates that narrow band stress indices derived from hyperspectral imagery should have improved sensitivity to provide more specific information on the type and cause of crop stress, Under funding from the NASA Earth Observation Commercial Applications Program (EOCAP) we are identifying and evaluating scientific and commercial applications of hyperspectral imagery for the remote characterization of agricultural crop stress. During the summer of 1999 a field experiment was conducted with varying nitrogen treatments on a production corn-field in eastern Nebraska. The AVIRIS (Airborne Visible-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer) hyperspectral imager was flown at two critical dates during crop development, at two different altitudes, providing images with approximately 18m pixels and 3m pixels. Simultaneous supporting soil and crop characterization included spectral reflectance measurements above the canopy, biomass characterization, soil sampling, and aerial photography. In this paper we describe the experiment and results, and examine the following three issues relative to the utility of hyperspectral imagery for scientific study and commercial crop stress products: (1) Accuracy of reflectance derived stress indices relative to conventional measures of stress. We compare reflectance-derived indices (both field radiometer and AVIRIS) with applied nitrogen and with leaf level measurement of nitrogen availability and chlorophyll concentrations over the experimental plots (4 replications of 5 different nitrogen levels); (2) Ability of the hyperspectral sensors to detect sub-pixel areas under crop stress. We applied the stress indices to both the 3m and 18m AVIRIS imagery for the entire production corn field using several sub-pixel areas within the field to compare the relative sensitivity of each stress index; and (3) Comparative sensitivity of stress indices to realistic measurement uncertainties. We compare the stress indices calculated with several levels of spectral uncertainty (by shifting the wavelengths) and reflectance uncertainty (by systematically varying the reflectance retrieval code initialization).

Cassady, Philip E.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Analyses of the cloud contents of multispectral imagery from LANDSAT 2: Mesoscale assessments of cloud and rainfall over the British Isles

The author has identified the following significant results. It was demonstrated that satellites with sufficiently high resolution capability in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum could be used to check the accuracy of estimates of total cloud amount assessed subjectively from the ground, and to reveal areas of performance in which corrections should be made. It was also demonstrated that, in middle latitude in summer, cloud shadow may obscure at least half as much again of the land surface covered by an individual LANDSAT frame as the cloud itself. That proportion would increase with latitude and/or time of year towards the winter solstice. Analyses of sample multispectral images for six different categories of clouds in summer revealed marked differences between the reflectance characteristics of cloud fields in the visible/near infrared region of the spectrum.

Barrett, E. C.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Polluted and turbid water masses in Osaka Bay and its vicinity revealed with ERTS-A imageries

ERTS-1 took very valuable MSS imageries of Osaka Bay and its vicinity on October 24, 1972. In the MSS-4 and MSS-5 imageries a complex grey pattern of water masses can be seen. Though some of grey colored patterns seen in black and white prints of the MSS-4 and MSS-5 imageries are easily identified from their shapes as cloud covers or polluted water masses characterized by their color tone in longer wavelengths in the visible region, any correct distribution pattern of polluted or turbid water masses can be hardly detected separately from thin cloud covers in a quick look analysis. In the present investigation, a simple photographic technique was applied using the fact that reflected sun light from cloud including smog and inclined water surfaces of wave have a certain component in the near infrared region, that MSS-7, whereas the light scattered from fine materials suspended in the sea water has nearly no component sensible in MSS-4 and MSS-5 channels.

Watanabe, K.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Analysis of GOES imagery and digitized data for the SEV-UPS period, August 1979

In support of the Southeastern Virginia Urban Plume Study (SEV-UPS), GOES satellite imagery was analyzed for the month of August 1979. The analyzed GOES images provide an additional source of meteorological input useful in the evaluation of air quality data collected during the month long period of the SEV-UPS experiment. In addition to the imagery analysis, GOES digitized data were analyzed for the period of August 6 to 11, during which a regional haze pattern was detectable in the imagery. The results of the study indicate that the observed haze patterns correspond closely with areas shown in surface based measurements to have reduced visibilities and elevated pollution levels. Moreover, the results of the analysis of digitized data indicate that digital reflectance counts can be directly related to haze intensity both over land and ocean. The model results agree closely with the observed GOES digital reflectance counts, providing further indication that satellite remote sensing can be a useful tool for monitoring regional elevated pollution episodes.

Bowley, C. J.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Remote Sensing Measurements of Vertical and Horizontal Moisture Variations from Aircraft Instruments

The research in this paper focuses on describing vertical and horizontal of water vapor variability using two remote sensing aircraft instruments. To achieve this goal we will compare precipitable water and upper level humidity estimates derived from the each of the instruments. The Multispectral Atmospheric Mapping Sensor (MAMS) is a visible and infrared radiometer with similar channels to that of the GOES imager. MAMS has flown aboard the NASA ER-2 numerous times. It has been used to validate features observed with the previous series of GOES satellites. MAMS data has been used to study precipitable water and upper level water vapor as well as other geophysical parameters. MAMS provides the opportunity to obtain water vapor Imagery at 6.7 mm. Upper tropospheric humidity can be computed using this channel in a similar fashion to that of Soden and Bretherton. In addition to the water vapor channel, MAMS records data In 3 other Infrared channels and 8 visible and near Infrared bands at high spatial resolution (I 00 Abstract: m). The 1 1 and 12 mm infrared channels allow for the application of a split technique to derive total precipitable water. The Udar Atmospheric Sensing Experiment (LASE) which uses the Differential Absorption Udar (DIAL) technique for obtaining simultaneous water vapor and aerosol profiles through the entire troposphere. LASE operates In the 81 5 nm wavelength region and uses a double pulsed Ti:sapphire laser that is locked onto a water vapor line. LASE has good horizontal (IO km) and excellent vertical (300 m) resolution. MAMS and LASE collected data simultaneously on several ER-2 flights in September 1995. LASE mixing ratio profiles will be Integrated for comparison with MAMS precipitable water estimates and the upper tropospheric humidity will be computed for the layer observed by the MAMS 6.7 mm channel for comparison for this time period. Results show a significant correlation between the measurements of the two Instruments. Regions of high/low upper tropospheric humidity are apparent In measurements from both instruments. Also changes in boundary layer moisture depicted by LASE are reflected in the total precipitable water measured by MAMS.

Atkinson, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1975

California coastal processes study: Skylab

The author has identified the following significant results. In San Pablo Bay, the patterns of dredged sediment discharges were plotted over a three month period. It was found that lithogenous particles, kept in suspension by the fresh water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin, were transported downstream to the estuarine area at varying rates depending on the river discharge level. Skylab collected California coastal imagery at limited times and not at constant intervals. Resolution, however, helped compensate for lack of coverage. Increased spatial and spectral resolution provided details not possible utilizing Landsat imagery. The S-192 data was reformatted; band by band image density stretching was utilized to enhance sediment discharge patterns entrainment, boundaries, and eddys. The 26 January 1974 Skylab 4 imagery of San Francisco Bay was taken during an exceptionally high fresh water and suspended sediment discharge period. A three pronged surface sediment pattern was visible where the Sacramento-San Joaquin Rivers entered San Pablo Bay through Carquinez Strait.

Pirie, D. M.↗