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The seasonal changes in aspect of the Niger River in the Republic of Mali, West Africa, as seen in daytime imagery obtained by the high-resolution infrared radiometer on Nimbus 3 are described. The identification of different plants by their reflectance is shown to provide an ecological map that changes with time. It is concluded that Nimbus imagery provides an integrated view of the entire watershed on a daily basis.
The use of IR aerial photographs for determining the dynamic characteristics of evapotranspiration at the Gila River Test Site is discussed. Evapotranspiration was measured as a function of plant volume, surface conditions, soil moisture storage, and ground water levels.
Study of solvent extractable acidic constituents of oil shale from the Colorado Green River Formation. Identification of individual components is based on gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric data obtained for their respective methyl esters. Normal acids, isoprenoidal acids, alpha, omega-dicarboxylic acids, mono-alpha-methyl dicarboxylic acids and methyl ketoacids were identified. In addition, the presence of monocyclic, benzoic, phenylalkanoic and naphthyl-carboxylic acids, as well as cycloaromatic acids, is demonstrated by partial identification.
The author has identified the following significant results. A classification of a portion of frame E-1016-16050 CCT was completed using the LARSYS software. The categories: row crops (corn or soybeans), forest and woodland areas, diverted acres of pastureland or nonproductive grassland areas, water (rivers), clouds, and cloud shadows, were represented by one or more spectral classes. The results of this classification are significant in that they show potential for accurate identification and delineation of forested and agricultural areas using automatic data handling techniques.
The meander patterns of the Feather and Colorado rivers were studied in an attempt to correlate pattern changes and flood probability. Attempts were also made to correlate stream meander power spectrum and stream discharge frequency distribution.
The planned integration of the existing water quality monitoring and data processing systems in the Delaware River Basin with a data relay experiment proposed for the ERTS-1 is discussed. The experiment is designed to use ERTS-1 as a data relay link for a maximum of 20 hydrologic stations in the basin, including stream gaging, reservoir level, ground water level, and water quality monitoring stations. This experiment has the potential for reducing the time lag between data collection and dissemination to less than 12 hours. The experiment will also provide impetus to develop an operational system of real time data processing and dissemination to handle the large quantity of data that will be obtained from the stations in the basin. The results of this experiment will demonstrate the relative merits of satellite relay of data versus conventional means of data telemetry and will provide a basis for the development of operational satellite relay of hydrologic data.
Digital analysis of Potomac River Basin ERTS-1 imagery, sedimentation levels at the Potomac-Anacostia confluence, and strip mining in Allegheny County, Maryland
Streamflow monitoring in Verde River by ERTS-1 data collection system (DCS)
Preliminary analysis of ERTS-1 relayed water resources data in Delaware River Basin
The feasibility of using satellite television photography of geomorphological indices to obtain a correlation between a stream meander power spectrum and stream discharge frequency distribution is considered. Water resources assessment includes information on the average rainfall over large drainage basins and calculations relating flow measurements to geographical areas. Photoelectric optical scanning techniques provide a digitized procedure for locating and following river meander curve points.
Remote sensing techniques are proposed for the development of a California coastal land use classification system which depicts and reflects essential parameters of environmental conditions and quality. Included in the earth resources survey is the Sacramento - San Joaquin River Delta and its complex hydrologic system which links saline waters of the San Francisco Bay with the Central Valley watershed.
Preliminary analysis of ERTS-DCS data from water-resources stations in the Delaware River Basin indicates that the Data-Collection System is performing well. Data-Collections Platforms have been successfully interfaced with five stream-gaging station and three ground-water observation wells and are being interfaced with 12 water-quality monitors in the basin. Data are being relayed during four or five ERTS orbital passes per day, which is within the design specifications of the ERTS-DCS.
The author has identified the following significant results. Land use and stream orders were mapped from ERTS-1 imagery covering the Pawnee River Basin. Total area of the basin, irrigated dry land crop area, and rangeland area were determined. The stream order of the basin was calculated by the Strahler method and provided more detail than is available on the comparable 1:250,000 sheets. This study has demonstrated the feasibility of using ERTS-1 imagery to map stream networks in greater detail than is required for 1:250,000 scale. The utility of ERTS-1 has also been demonstrated for mapping and mensuration of data relating to performance of ground cover types and the extent of irrigation.
During an investigation of C-13 NMR shifts and the structural correspondence of pentacyclic triterpenes a C-13 NMR study was conducted on one of the most abundant components of the hexane soluble fraction of oil shale bitumen of the Green River formation. A rigorous proof was derived exclusively from C-13 NMR data for the structure of the important triterpenoid fossil molecule. It was established that the structure of the isolated triterpane was 17alpha(H) hopane.
Some recent papers on solar neutrinos, Martian rivers, and Praesepe stars are reviewed. Possible causes of solar neutrino detection rates being below theoretical expectations are quoted. The widespread presence of sinuous dendritic channels on Mars is noted. The occurrence of earth-like epochs on Mars is indicated as a plausible explanation for many such channels in terms of surface liquid water flows. The roughly uniform distribution of the Praesepe stars through the main sequence width is viewed as the indication that the excursion time off the main sequence is comparable to the time between mixings.
The author has identified the following significant results. An interdisciplinary group at Penn State University is analyzing ERTS-1 data. The geographical area of interest is that of the Susquehanna River Basin in Pennsylvania. The objectives of the work have been to ascertain the usefulness of ERTS-1 data in the areas of natural resources and land use inventory, geology and hydrology, and environmental quality. Specific results include a study of land use in the Harrisburg area, discrimination between types of forest resources and vegetation, detection of previously unknown geologic faults and correlation of these with known mineral deposits and ground water, mapping of mine spoils in the anthracite region of eastern Pennsylvania, and mapping of strip mines and acid mine drainage in central Pennsylvania. Both photointerpretive techniques and automatic computer processing methods have been developed and used, separately and in a combined approach.
The remote sensing study to survey the Rhode River watershed for spray irrigation with secondarily treated sewage is reported. The standardization of Autumn coloration changes with Munsell color chips is described along with the mapping of old field vegetation for the spray irrigation project. The interpretation and verification of salt marsh vegetation by remote sensing of the water shed is discussed.
The author has identified the following significant results. The Chena River Basin was selected because of the availability of ground truth data for comparison. Very good agreement for snow distribution and rates of ablation was found between the ERTS-1 imagery, the snowmelt model, and field measurements. Monitoring snowmelt rates for relatively small basins appears to be practical. The main limitation of the ERTS-1 imagery is the interval of coverage. More frequent overflights providing coverage are needed for the study of transient hydrologic events. ERTS-1 data is most useful when used in conjunction with snowmelt prediction models and existing snow course data. These results should prove very useful in preliminary assessment of hydrologic conditions in ungaged watersheds and will provide a tool for month-to-month volume forecasting.