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NASA NTRS1985

Geophysical Interpretation of Venus Gravity Data

The subsurface distribution of Venus was investigated through the analysis of the data from Pioneer Venus Orbiter (PVO). In particular, the Doppler tracking data were used to map the gravitational potential. These were compared to the topographic data from the PVO radar (ORAD). In order to obtain an unbiased comparison, the topography data obtained from the PVO-ORAD were filtered to introduce distortions which are the same as those of the gravity models. Both the gravity and filtered topography maps are derived by two stage processes with a common second stage. In the first stage, the topography was used to calculate a corresponding spacecraft acceleration under the assumptions that the topography has a uniform given density and no compensation. In the second stage, the acceleration measures found in the first stage were passed through a linear inverter to yield maps of gravity and topography. Because these maps are the result of the same inversion process, they contain the same distortion; a comparison between them is unbiased to first order.

Reasenberg, R. D.↗

DOE OSTI2024

An assessment of controlled source EM for monitoring subsurface CO 2 injection at the wyoming carbonSAFE geologic carbon storage site

Here we evaluate if electromagnetic (EM) geophysical methods for monitoring geologic carbon storage (GCS) efforts at the Wyoming CarbonSAFE project adjacent to the Dry Fork Station power plant near Gillette, Wyoming. This first involved acquiring both electric and magnetic fields at eleven different locations ranging in distance from immediately adjacent to 4 km from the plant. Passive EM measurements were made to provide spectral EM noise measurements generated by electricity production at the plant and to determine if useful magnetotelluric (MT) data can be successfully collected in the region. The processed data indicate that useful MT data can be collected as long as the site is located more than 2km away from the power plant as well as active roads and rail lines. Controlled source EM data were collected using three different source configurations, two of which connected to steel casings used to complete the injection wells. Comparing the EM noise measurements to the CSEM data show measurable electric and magnetic field signals at all sites. Next a series of three-dimensional (3D) numerical models were built that simulate resistivity changes caused by the proposed CO2 injection at depths ranging from 2.4 to 3.0km. These models were used to simulate various EM measurement configurations. The modeling shows that casing-source CSEM monitoring can provide sensitivity to the injected CO 2 if source electrodes are connected to the bottom of one or both of the injection wells.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2023

Material Property Determinations for Rock Valley Legacy Samples in Support of Source Physics Experiment

The Source Physics Experiment (SPE) is a long-term NNSA research and development effort designed to improve nonproliferation verification and monitoring capabilities. The overarching goals of the SPE program are to improve understanding of prompt signals and physical signatures that develop from underground chemical explosions and associated modeling capabilities. Our work focuses on a primary factor controlling chemical explosion induced signals and signatures: the material properties of the rocks in which the chemical explosion takes place. This document reports on material property determinations of legacy core USGS Test Well F and outcrop analogs for the subsurface stratigraphy for the third phase of SPE in the Rock Valley (RV) area of the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). The objective of this work is to establish a baseline set of lithologic descriptions and material properties expected prior to observatory borehole drilling in support of the SPE-RVDC (Rock Valley Direct Comparison) experiment. We determine for each rock type the compressional failure envelope, elastic properties as a function of stress (bulk modulus versus mean stress, shear modulus versus shear stress, Young’s modulus versus axial stress and Poisson’s ratio versus axial stress), indirect tensile strength, and porosity. Geologic characterization, both at the core-scale and microscale, provides context for using the data in modeling efforts and to inform interpretations for the material properties testing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2024

A transient site balance model for atomic layer etching

We present a transient site balance model of plasma-assisted atomic layer etching of silicon (Si) with alternating exposure to chlorine gas (Cl 2 ) and argon ions (Ar + ). Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation results are used to provide parameters for the model. The model couples the dynamics of a top monolayer surface region ('top layer') and a perfectly mixed subsurface region ('mixed layer'). The differential equations describing the rates of change of the Cl coverage in the two layers are transient mass balances. Model predictions include Cl coverages and rates of etching of various species from the surface as a function of Cl 2 or Ar + fluence. The simplified phenomenological model reproduces the MD simulation results well over a range of conditions. Comparing model predictions directly to experimental optical emission spectroscopy data, as reported in a previous paper, provides further evidence of the accuracy of the model.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2022

The effects of spatial and temporal resolution of gridded meteorological forcing on watershed hydrological responses

Abstract. Meteorological forcing plays a critical role in accurately simulating the watershed hydrological cycle. With the advancement of high-performance computing and the development of integrated watershed models, simulating the watershed hydrological cycle at high temporal (hourly to daily) and spatial resolution (tens of meters) has become efficient and computationally affordable. These hyperresolution watershed models require high resolution of meteorological forcing as model input to ensure the fidelity and accuracy of simulated responses. In this study, we utilized the Advanced Terrestrial Simulator (ATS), an integrated watershed model, to simulate surface and subsurface flow and land surface processes using unstructured meshes at the Coal Creek Watershed near Crested Butte (Colorado). We compared simulated watershed hydrologic responses including streamflow and distributed variables such as evapotranspiration, snow water equivalent (SWE), and groundwater table driven by three publicly available, gridded meteorological forcings (GMFs) – Daily Surface Weather and Climatological Summaries (Daymet), the Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM), and the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS). By comparing various spatial resolutions (ranging from 400 m to 4 km) of PRISM, the simulated streamflow only becomes marginally worse when spatial resolution of meteorological forcing is coarsened to 4 km (or 30 % of the watershed area). However, the 4 km-resolution has much worse performance than finer resolution in spatially distributed variables such as SWE. Using the temporally disaggregated PRISM, we compared models forced by different temporal resolutions (hourly to daily), and sub-daily resolution preserves the dynamic watershed responses (e.g., diurnal fluctuation of streamflow) that are absent in results forced by daily resolution. Conversely, the simulated streamflow shows better performance using daily resolution compared to that using sub-daily resolution. Our findings suggest that the choice of GMF and its spatiotemporal resolution depends on the quantity of interest and its spatial and temporal scale, which may have important implications for model calibration and watershed management decisions.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS2020

Titan's Ionospheric Chemistry, Fullerenes, Oxygen, Galactic Cosmic Rays and the Formation of Exobiological Molecules on and Within Its Surfaces and Lakes

We discuss the formation of aerosols within Titan's thermosphere-ionosphere and the different chemical pathways. Negative ion measurements by the Cassini Plasma Spectrometer (CAPS) Electron Spectrometer (ELS) give evidence for formation of unsaturated anion carbon chains, while positive ion measurements of the Cassini Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) indicate formation of more aromatic cation hydrocarbons. There is presently no direct observational evidence for large neutral molecule growth in Titan's thermosphere-ionosphere. The hydrocarbon cations are expected to form Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), those with the addition of nitrogen being called PAHNs. We theorize anion carbon chains can eventually become long enough to fold into fullerene C60,70 carbon shells, of various charge states. Based on laboratory data the fullerenes can trap incoming O+ magnetospheric ions that have relatively high energy collisions with the fullerenes and, once trapped, protect the oxygen atom from Titan's reducing thermosphere-ionosphere. The fullerenes can form into larger onion fullerenes and condense into larger embryo aerosols (i.e., m/q (mass-to-charge ratio) greater than 10,000 amu/q (atomic mass unit-to-charge ratio) anions as observed by CAPS/ELS) eventually falling onto Titan's surface and precipitating to the bottom of its hydrocarbon lakes. Molecule production composed of H, C, N is known to occur in Titan's atmosphere with energy input from the magnetosphere, solar UV (ultraviolet), and deep-penetrating irradiation from galactic cosmic rays (GCR). Space radiation effects by GCR irradiation of Titan's surface and lakes can lead to the manufacture of exobiological molecules with oxygen as the new ingredient. We have developed a model of galactic cosmic ray irradiation of Titan's atmosphere, surface, subsurface and bottoms of Titan lakes. GCR would provide further energy for processing of the aerosols into more complex organic forms such as tholins and precursor molecules for amino acids. A second process called hydrolysis then converts the precursor molecules into amino acids. Hydrolysis is provided via meteor impacts with size greater than 10 kilometers and cryovolcanism both which can produce liquid water on Titan's surface for episodic periods more than several 100 to 1000 years. Our model shows that GCR secondary particles can penetrate ~100 meters below the ice surface (including the bottom of Titan's less dense hydrocarbon lakes ~150-meter depths) and produce chemically significant dosages over very long timescales ~450 million years. The GCR model is combined with laboratory data from experiments in which dry methyl ices were irradiated to doses producing prebiotic amino acids such as glycine. The model calculations show glycine can form to ~2.5 parts-per-billion levels near the surface after ~450 million years of GCR proton irradiation and potentially to 5 parts-per-billion if heavy-ion GCRs up through Fe are included. If such molecules were detected, this would not only confirm this model but indicate that life forms different from ours may not be required.

Edward C. Sittler Jr↗

DOE OSTI2024

Quantifying the Site Heterogeneities of Non‐Uniform Catalysts Using QuantEXAFS

Abstract We present the Multi‐site (MS) QuantEXAFS approach, designed to model the EXAFS data from samples containing an element in different local bonding geometries. Building upon our QuantEXAFS method, which maps experimental extended X‐ray absorption fine structures (EXAFS) data to DFT‐optimized structures, MS‐QuantEXAFS introduces the key capability to probe fractional contributions of multiple sites that may be present in an experimental sample. Specifically, we demonstrate effectiveness of this technique by investigating mixed samples containing known fractions of site‐isolated subsurface Pt/MgO with Pt nanoparticles uniformly supported on MgO. The ‘site‐fractions’ obtained through MS‐QuantEXAFS closely match (i. e., ±6%) the known fractions of the physically mixed samples. This approach has been generalized to other oxides, and thus represents an important advance in quantifying the speciation of non‐uniform catalyst samples.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

NASA NTRS1999

Advances in Understanding Decadal Climate Variability

Recently, a joint Brazil-France-U.S. program, known as PIRATA (Pilot Research moored Array in the Tropical Atlantic), was proposed to begin the deployment of moored measurement platforms in the tropical Atlantic in order to enhance the existing observational data base and subsequent understanding of the processes by which the ocean and atmosphere couple in key regions of the tropical Atlantic Ocean. Empirical studies have suggested that there are strong relationships between tropical Atlantic upper ocean variability, SST, ocean-atmosphere coupling and regional climate variability. During the early 1980's a coordinated set of surface wind, subsurface thermal structure, and subsurface current observations were obtained as part of the U.S.-France SEQUAL-FOCAL process experiment designed to observe the seasonal response of the tropical Atlantic Ocean to surface forcing. Since that time, however, the observational data base for the tropical Atlantic Ocean has disintegrated to a few ship-tracks measuring ocean temperatures and a small collection of tide gauge stations measuring sea level. A more comprehensive set of observations, modeling and empirical studies is now in order to make progress on understanding the regional climate variability. The proposed PIRATA program will use mooring platforms similar to the tropical Pacific Ocean TAO array to measure surface fluxes of momentum and heat and the corresponding changes in the upper ocean thermal structure. It is anticipated that the oceanic data from this monitoring array will also be used in a predictive mode for initialization studies of regional coupled climate models. Of particular interest are zonal and meridional modes of ocean-atmosphere variability within the tropical Atlantic basin that have significant impacts on the regional climate of the bordering continents.

Busalacchi, Antonio J.↗

NASA NTRS2004

The Diversity of Martian Volcanic Features as Seen in MOC Images and MOLA Topographic Data

This project focused on the evolution of the summit areas of Martian volcanoes. By using data collected from the Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) and Mars Laser Altimeter (MOLA) instruments, we tried to better understand the diversity of constructional volcanism on Mars, and hence further understand eruption processes. We investigated the styles of volcanism on the major volcanic constructs (Olympus, Arsia, Pavonis, and Ascraeus Montes), and also studied the role of magma-volatile interactions within the shallow subsurface of these volcanoes and the surrounding areas. Theoretical models for internal processes within volcanoes, including the thermal influences of dike intrusions on pre-existing volatiles, were developed based on our identification of landform distributions. Our work provided new insights into the diversity of volcanism on Mars, and the distribution of Martian volatiles in space and time. Highlights of our results include: 1) The identification of large ash deposits at the summit of Arsia Mons; 2) The study of a large flank eruption on Elysium Mons and the estimation of the effusion rate needed to produce the observed lava channel; 3) The quantitative description of dike intrusion into volatile-rich terrain to explain the origin of Hrad Vallis; 4) The identification of constructional ridges on top of very young lava flows from Olympus Mons, with the interpretation that these ridges were formed by very recent phreatomagmatic eruptions; and 5) The characterization of the dimensions and slope distributions on 18 volcanic edifices on Mars.

Mouginis-Mark, Peter J.↗

NASA NTRS2012

In-situ Measurements of the Radiolytic Destruction of Glycine in Ices: Applications to the Martian Subsurface

Amino acids and other organic molecules are thought to be easily destroyed on the surface of Mars by the high flux of incident ultraviolet rays or by chemical interactions with oxidizing substances in the soil. However, organic molecules may survive in the subsurface, where chemical processes are driven by penetrating galactic cosmic rays such as MeV protons. Models of the radiation dose as a function of depth on Mars have shown that the contribution of galactic cosmic rays dominates from about one centimeter to a few meters [1 J. Theoretical models have also been published to aid in understanding molecular destruction at these depths, but these usually are based on room-temperature laboratory data, studies of single-component samples, and ex-situ methods of chemical analysis. Recent studies of amino-acid survivability include those involving UV photolysis [2, 3J and gamma radiolysis [4], but nearly all chemical and kinetic analyses from such experiments involved room-temperature measurements on samples irradiated and then removed from sealed containers. We report new laboratory studies of the radiation-induced destruction of glycine-containing ices. In-situ infrared spectroscopy was used to study decay rates as a function of temperature and initial glycine concentrations. Our results indicate that glycine's destruction rate depends on temperature, the presence of H20-ice, and the initial relative abundance of glycine. These trends are not obvious in previous work, suggesting that room-temperature measurements on pure glycine's radiation stability are not directly applicable to Mars and other environments.

Gerakines, Perry A.↗

NASA NTRS2021

Estimating Terrestrial Snow Mass via Multi-sensor Assimilation of Synthetic AMSR-E Brightness Temperature Spectral Differences and Synthetic GRACE Terrestrial Water Storage Retrievals

This study explores multi-sensor data assimilation (DA) using synthetic Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR-E) passive microwave brightness temperature spectral differences (∆T(B)) and synthetic Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) terrestrial water storage (TWS) retrievals to improve estimates of snow water equivalent (SWE), subsurface water storage, and TWS across snow-covered terrain. Results show that multi-sensor DA improves SWE estimates by reducing the RMSE by 14.1% relative to a model-only simulation. Multi-sensor assimilation also yields the smallest TWS RMSE (reduced by 13.0% relative to a model-only simulation). However, multi-sensor DA does not always yield complementary updates, and can sometimes lead to conflicting changes to SWE, where the assimilation of synthetic ∆T(b) generates positive SWE increments while the assimilation of synthetic TWS removes SWE, which can ultimately degrade the posterior SWE estimates. This synthetic experiment provides useful insight for future DA experiments using real-world AMSR-E/AMSR-2 ∆T(b) observations and GRACE/GRACE-FO TWS retrievals to better characterize terrestrial freshwater storage across regional scales.

Jing Wang↗

NASA NTRS1983

Bearing tester data compilation, analysis, and reporting and bearing math modeling

The Shaberth bearing analysis computer program was developed for the analysis of jet engine shaft/bearing systems operating above room temperature with normal hydrocarbon lubricants. It is also possible to use this tool to evaluate the shaft bearing systems operating in cryogenics. Effects such as fluid drag, radial temperature gradients, outer race misalignments and clearance changes were simulated and evaluated. In addition, the speed and preload effects on bearing radial stiffness was evaluated. The Shaberth program was also used to provide contact stresses from which contact geometry was calculated to support other analyses such as the determination of cryogenic fluid film thickness in the contacts and evaluation of surface and subsurface stresses necessary for bearing failure evaluation. This program was a vital tool for the thermal analysis of the bearing in that it provides the heat generation rates at the rolling element/race contacts for input into a thermal model of the bearing/shaft assembly.

Source record↗

DOE OSTI2022

HFTS-2 (Final Report)

This report delves into the research program, identified tasks, various studies, observations, results, and conclusions under the Hydraulic Fracturing Test Site (HFTS-2) project. This test site is located in Loving County close to the Texas, New Mexico border. The program targeted the Wolfcamp formation in Delaware Basin. The aim of the project was to improve our understanding of hydraulic fracturing processes to not only optimize unconventional resource development in US Basins but to minimize environmental footprint as well. Various new diagnostic technologies were demonstrated at this site, including distributed acoustic microseismic, high resolution strain using Rayleigh frequency band (DSS-RFS), and in-fill proppant logging tool. Significant conclusions from this study include: 1) lateral and vertical fracture growth mapping as well as proppant transport behavior, 2) Use of DSS-RFS as a diagnostic tool to understand cluster level behavior, 3) Validation of proppant log, both at core scale as well as in-fill well implementation, and 4) New modeling tools to map far-field strain response using distributed strain sensing data. Specifically, far-field fracture distribution is influenced by linear fracture corridors defined by the stress-state as well as clustering behavior influenced by spatio-temporal effects. Depletion impacts on new stimulation was demonstrated and technically quantified. Significant vertical fracture height growth was observed. However, our understanding is limited by available gauge data availability. Numerical strain modeling techniques have been developed and demonstrated to help understand observed strain response behavior. Finally, proppant log has been further validated as a useful tool to map propped zones within the SRV. It has also shown very strong correlation with observed drawdown behavior at this test site. This report will detail many of these studies as well as technical results and conclusions from said studies. These include general subsurface characterization work, completion designs as implemented, studies looking at fracture geometry, high resolution microseismic study including source mechanisms, advanced DSS-RFS studies including drainage characterization, core characterization results, proppant analysis (core and in-fill child well), geochemistry, etc.

02 PETROLEUM↗

DOE OSTI2023

Final Technical Report Wireless Microsensors System for Monitoring Deep Subsurface Operations

This final technical report describes the main findings of the project Wireless Microsensors System for Monitoring Deep Subsurface Operations (FE0031850). The project was part of the U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory FOA 1998 program to develop new sensor systems for direct observation of parameters associated with CO2 injection and to provide data collection without being disruptive to operations. The overall DOE program was aimed at developing and validating innovative transformational sensor systems, amenable for integration with autonomous intelligent monitoring systems, that are capable of being deployed within the casing annulus and do not have casing perforation or wires/cables in the annulus for installation, power supply, or data transmission needs. Project accomplishments included 1) design and fabrication of a wireless downhole sensor system to monitor parameters for CO2 storage, 2) field testing of the sensor system in two legacy oil & gas wells, and 3) development of an analysis approach that validates the measurements and demonstrates the application of the technology to depict CO2 movement in the subsurface. The project leveraged new sensor technologies along with specialized wellbore telemetry, deployment, and analysis methods designed to address the challenges and risks related to CO2 storage in the subsurface. Results from field testing were a mixture of successes and challenges. The temperature sensor rings, installation procedures in legacy oil & gas wells, wireless powering demonstration, automated data collection, and material compatibility were successful. The wireless data transfer through cement to the wellhead via the sensor relays was not functional beyond the first relay. Consequently, work in the last year of the project included some additional testing of data transmission through different materials along with modeling and analysis of field data for CO2 monitoring applications. This work suggested there are options like polymer cements and open hole annuli that may allow point-to-point transmission along the borehole. The techno-economic analysis suggests that the sensor system is ~40% less expensive than fiber optic distributed temperature system. Modeling of CO2 storage applications suggests temperature can provide an indicator of CO2 saturation but would be best combined with pressure sensors.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

NASA NTRS2017

Numerical Simulation of Illumination and Thermal Conditions at the Lunar Poles Using LOLA DTMs

We are interested in illumination conditions and the temperature distribution within the upper two meters of regolith near the lunar poles. Here, areas exist receiving almost constant illumination near areas in permanent shadow, which were identified as potential exploration sites for future missions. For our study a numerical simulation of the illumination and thermal environment for lunar near-polar regions is needed. Our study is based on high-resolution, twenty meters per pixel and 400 x 400 km large polar Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), which were derived from Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) data. Illumination conditions were simulated by synthetically illuminating the LOLA DTMs using the horizon method considering the Sun as an extended source. We model polar illumination for the central 50 x 50 km subset and use it as an input at each time-step (2 h) to evaluate the heating of the lunar surface and subsequent conduction in the sub-surface. At surface level we balance the incoming insolation with the subsurface conduction and radiation into space, whereas in the sub-surface we consider conduction with an additional constant radiogenic heat source at the bottom of our two-meter layer. Density is modeled as depth-dependent, the specific heat parameter as temperature-dependent and the thermal conductivity as depth- and temperature-dependent. We implemented a fully implicit finite-volume method in space and backward Euler scheme in time to solve the one-dimensional heat equation at each pixel in our 50 x 50 km DTM. Due to the non-linear dependencies of the parameters mentioned above, Newton's method is employed as the non-linear solver together with the Gauss-Seidel method as the iterative linear solver in each Newton iteration. The software is written in OpenCL and runs in parallel on the GPU cores, which allows for fast computation of large areas and long time scales.

Glaser, P.↗

DOE OSTI2021

NRAP-open-IAM: A flexible open-source integrated-assessment-model for geologic carbon storage risk assessment and management

Large-scale implementation of geologic carbon storage (GCS) to help reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions requires stakeholder confidence that injected CO2 will remain contained and that potential subsurface environmental risks are acceptably small and manageable. The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Risk Assessment Partnership (NRAP) has developed an open-source integrated assessment model (NRAP-Open-IAM) to help address questions about a potential GCS site’s ability to effectively contain injected CO 2 and protect groundwater and other overlying environmentally sensitive receptors. NRAP-Open-IAM allows a user to: (1) incorporate relevant site geologic and injection scenario data; (2) characterize important site features and events;(3) couple fast prediction models of various system components of the engineered geologic system; and (4) execute stochastic, dynamic simulation of whole GCS system performance, leakage risk assessment, and uncertainty quantification. NRAP-Open-IAM is available on GitLab (https://gitlab.com/NRAP/OpenIAM), and is accompanied by multiple application examples and detailed user and developer guides.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2021

Machine Learning Analysis of Hydrologic Exchange Flows and Transit Time Distributions in a Large Regulated River

Hydrologic exchange between river channels and adjacent subsurface environments is a key process that influences water quality and ecosystem function in river corridors. High-resolution numerical models were often used to resolve the spatial and temporal variations of exchange flows, which are computationally expensive. In this study, we adopt Random Forest (RF) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) approaches for deriving reduced order models of hydrologic exchange flows and associated transit time distributions, with integrated field observations (e.g., bathymetry) and hydrodynamic simulation data (e.g., river velocity, depth). The setup allows an improved understanding of the influences of various physical, spatial, and temporal factors on the hydrologic exchange flows and transit times. The predictors also contain those derived using hybrid clustering, leveraging our previous work on river corridor system hydromorphic classification. The machine learning-based predictive models are developed and validated along the Columbia River Corridor, and the results show that the top parameters are the thickness of the top geological formation layer, the flow regime, river velocity, and river depth; the RF and XGB models can achieve 70% to 80% accuracy and therefore are effective alternatives to the computational demanding numerical models of exchange flows and transit time distributions. Each machine learning model with its favorable configuration and setup have been evaluated. The transferability of the models to other river reaches and larger scales, which mostly depends on data availability, is also discussed.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

NASA NTRS1984

Radar backscatter modelling

The terrain analysis software package was restructured and documentation was added. A program was written to test Johnson Space Center's four band scatterometer data for spurious signals data. A catalog of terrain roughness statistics and calibrated four frequency multipolarization scatterometer data is being published to support the maintenance of Death Valley as a radar backscatter calibration test site for all future airborne and spacecraft missions. Test pits were dug through sand covered terrains in the Eastern Sahara to define the depth and character of subsurface interfaces responsible for either backscatter or specular response in SIR-A imagery. Blocky sandstone bedrock surfaces at about 1 m depth were responsible for the brightest SIR-A returns. Irregular very dense CaCO3 cemented sand interfaces were responsible for intermediate grey tones. Ancient river valleys had the weakest response. Reexamination of SEASAT l-band imagery of U.S. deserts continues.

Schaber, G. G.↗