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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1968

Remote sensing of natural resources.

Remote sensing of natural resources by panoramic and multiband cameras, optical-mechanical scanner, airborne radar and gamma ray spectrometer

Colwell, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Modeling Uncertainty in Large Natural Resource Allocation Problems

The productivity of the world's natural resources is critically dependent on a variety of highly uncertain factors, which obscure individual investors and governments that seek to make long-term, sometimes irreversible investments in their exploration and utilization. These dynamic considerations are poorly represented in disaggregated resource models, as incorporating uncertainty into large-dimensional problems presents a challenging computational task. This study introduces a novel numerical method to solve large-scale dynamic stochastic natural resource allocation problems that cannot be addressed by conventional methods. The method is illustrated with an application focusing on the allocation of global land resource use under stochastic crop yields due to adverse climate impacts and limits on further technological progress. For the same model parameters, the range of land conversion is considerably smaller for the dynamic stochastic model as compared to deterministic scenario analysis. The scenario analysis can thus significantly overstate the magnitude of expected land conversion under uncertain crop yields.

Cai, Yongyang↗
NASA NTRS2006

Contaminant Removal From Natural Resources

A zero-valent metal emulsion containing zero-valent metal particles is used to remediate contaminated natural resources, such as groundwater and soil. In a preferred embodiment, the zero-valent metal emulsion removes heavy metals, such as lead (pb), from contaminated natural resources. In another preferred embodiment, the zero-valent metal emulsion is a bimetallic emulsion containing zero-valent metal particles doped with a catalytic metal to remediate halogenated aromatic compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), from natural resources.

Clausen, Christian A.↗
NASA NTRS2024

Assessing Effects of Climate and Technology Uncertainties in Large Natural Resource Allocation Problems

The productivity of the world's natural resources is critically dependent on a variety of highly uncertain factors, which obscure individual investors and governments that seek to make long-term, sometimes irreversible, investments in their exploration and utilization. These dynamic considerations are poorly represented in disaggregated resource models, as incorporating uncertainty into large-dimensional problems presents a challenging computational task. In this paper, we apply the SCEQ algorithm (Cai and Judd, 2023) to solve a large-scale dynamic stochastic global land resource use problem with stochastic crop yields due to adverse climate impacts and limits on further technological progress. For the same model parameters and bounded shocks, the range of land conversion is considerably smaller for the dynamic stochastic model than for deterministic scenario analysis.

numerical methods↗
NASA NTRS1972

Natural resources information system.

A computer-based Natural Resources Information System was developed for the Bureaus of Indian Affairs and Land Management. The system stores, processes and displays data useful to the land manager in the decision making process. Emphasis is placed on the use of remote sensing as a data source. Data input consists of maps, imagery overlays, and on-site data. Maps and overlays are entered using a digitizer and stored as irregular polygons, lines and points. Processing functions include set intersection, union and difference and area, length and value computations. Data output consists of computer tabulations and overlays prepared on a drum plotter.

Leachtenauer, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1973

An evaluation of EREP (Skylab) and ERTS imagery for integrated natural resources survey

The author has identified the following significant results. An experimental procedure has been devised and is being tested for natural resource surveys to cope with the problems of interpreting and processing the large quantities of data provided by Skylab and ERTS. Some basic aspects of orbital imagery such as scale, the role of repetitive coverage, and types of sensors are being examined in relation to integrated surveys of natural resources and regional development planning. Extrapolation away from known ground conditions, a fundamental technique for mapping resources, becomes very effective when used on orbital imagery supported by field mapping. Meaningful boundary delimitations can be made on orbital images using various image enhancement techniques. To meet the needs of many developing countries, this investigation into the use of satellite imagery for integrated resource surveys involves the analysis of the images by means of standard visual photointerpretation methods.

Vangenderen, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS2022

Midwest Water Resources: Developing an Evapotranspiration Climatology to Analyze Spatiotemporal Water Budget Patterns for Agriculture and Natural Resources Managers in the Midwest

Evapotranspiration (ET) is a climatic variable critical to the hydrologic cycle and is used to evaluate spatiotemporal trends in drought conditions. Although in-situ observations provide accurate ET information, these records are spatially sparse. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Midwest Climate Hub, National Integrated Drought Information System, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Michigan State University, and the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service have partnered with DEVELOP to gain new insights on spatiotemporal patterns of ET with NASA satellite data. This project evaluates the feasibility of using remotely sensed ET data products to understand trends from 2001 through 2020. Actual ET (aET) data were sourced from NASA’s Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and reference ET (refET) and precipitation data were sourced from the Gridded Surface Meteorological Dataset (gridMET). Spatial and temporal differences in the MODIS and gridMET data sets were resolved such that gridded data could be compared. These data sets were then used to produce monthly Normals maps of mm/8-day of precipitation, aET, and refET. Using precipitation and ET Normals maps, hydrologic state maps were produced by subtracting either refET or aET from precipitation. These hydrologic state maps provide a proxy water balance by summarizing the difference between water entering and leaving the ground surface. Additionally, the ET products were compared in timeseries plots. The ET products from this project provided partners with comparable datasets to assess potential drought and flooding conditions to support Midwest agricultural and natural resource managers in decision-making.

Emma Myrick↗
NASA NTRS1972

Natural Resource Information System. Volume 1: Overall description

A prototype computer-based Natural Resource Information System was designed which could store, process, and display data of maximum usefulness to land management decision making. The system includes graphic input and display, the use of remote sensing as a data source, and it is useful at multiple management levels. A survey established current decision making processes and functions, information requirements, and data collection and processing procedures. The applications of remote sensing data and processing requirements were established. Processing software was constructed and a data base established using high-altitude imagery and map coverage of selected areas of SE Arizona. Finally a demonstration of system processing functions was conducted utilizing material from the data base.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1979

The natural resources inventory system ASVT project

The hardware/software and the associated procedures for a natural resource inventory and information system based on the use of LANDSAT-acquired multispectral scanner digital data is described. The system is designed to derive land cover/vegetation information from LANDSAT data and geographically reference this information for the production of various types of maps and for the compilation of acreage by land cover/vegetation category. The system also provides for data base building so that the LANDSAT-derived information can be related to information digitized from other sources (e.g., soils maps) in a geographic context in order to address specific applications. These applications include agricultural crop production estimation, erosion hazard-reforestation need assessment, whitetail deer habitat assessment, and site selection. The system is tested in demonstration areas located in the state of Mississippi, and the results of these application demonstrations are presented. A cost-efficiency comparison of producing land cover/vegetation maps and statistics with this system versus the use of small-scale aerial photography is made.

Joyce, A. T.↗