Engineering topics

Scherz, J. P.

Publications and source records attributed to Scherz, J. P..

15 records

NASA NTRS1977

Application of LANDSAT to the surveillance of lake eutrophication in the Great Lakes basin

The author has identified the following significant results. A step-by-step procedure for establishing and monitoring the trophic status of inland lakes with the use of LANDSAT data, surface sampling, laboratory analysis, and aerial observations were demonstrated. The biomass was related to chlorophyll-a concentrations, water clarity, and trophic state. A procedure was developed for using surface sampling, LANDSAT data, and linear regression equations to produce a color-coded image of large lakes showing the distribution and concentrations of water quality parameters, causing eutrophication as well as parameters which indicate its effects. Cover categories readily derived from LANDSAT were those for which loading rates were available and were known to have major effects on the quality and quantity of runoff and lake eutrophication. Urban, barren land, cropland, grassland, forest, wetlands, and water were included.

Rogers, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Lake water quality mapping from LANDSAT

The lakes in three LANDSAT scenes were mapped by the Bendix MDAS multispectral analysis system. Field checking the maps by three separate individuals revealed approximately 90-95% correct classification for the lake categories selected. Variations between observers was about 5%. From the MDAS color coded maps the lake with the worst algae problem was easily located. This lake was closely checked and a pollution source of 100 cows was found in the springs which fed this lake. The theory, lab work and field work which made it possible for this demonstration project to be a practical lake classification procedure are presented.

Scherz, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Lake water quality mapping from Landsat

In the project described remote sensing was used to check the quality of lake waters. The lakes of three Landsat scenes were mapped with the Bendix MDAS multispectral analysis system. From the MDAS color coded maps, the lake with the worst algae problem was easily located. The lake was closely checked, and the presence of 100 cows in the springs which fed the lake could be identified as the pollution source. The laboratory and field work involved in the lake classification project is described.

Scherz, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Classifying and monitoring water quality by use of satellite imagery

A technique is developed to eliminate the atmosphere and surface noise effects on Landsat signals of water bodies by manipulating the total signal from Landsat in such a way that only the volume reflectance is left as a residual. With the Landsat signal from a lake and the known volume reflectance for its clear water it is possible to eliminate the surface and atmospheric effects and have residual signals that are indicative only of the type and concentration of the material in other lakes. Laboratory values are more precise than field values because in the field one must contend with indirect skylight and wave action which can be removed in the laboratory. The volume reflectance of distilled water or a very clear lake approaching distilled water was determined in the laboratory by the use of the Bendix radiant power measuring instrument. The Bendix multispectral data analysis system provided a color categorized image of several hundred lakes in a Wisconsin area. These lakes were categorized for tannin and nontannin waters and for the degrees of algae, silt, weeds, and bottom effects present.

Scherz, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1975

A comparison of 9-inch, 70mm, and 35mm cameras

Successful aerial photography depends on aerial cameras that provide acceptable photographs within the cost restrictions of the job. For topographic mapping where ultimate accuracy is required, only large-format mapping cameras will suffice. For mapping environmental patterns of vegetation, soils, or water pollution, 9-inch cameras often exceed accuracy and cost requirements, and small formats may be an overall better choice. In choosing the best camera for environmental mapping, relative capabilities and costs must be understood. This study compares resolution, photo interpretation potential, metric accuracy, and cost of 9-inch, 70 mm, and 35 mm cameras for obtaining simultaneous color and color-infrared photography for environmental mapping purposes.

Clegg, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Classifying and monitoring water quality by use of satellite imagery

A technique in which LANDSAT measurements from very clear lakes are subtracted from measurements from other lakes in order to remove atmospheric and surface noise effects to obtain a residual signal dependent only on the material suspended in the water is described. This residual signal is used by the Multispectral Data Analysis System as a basis for producing color categorized imagery showing lakes by type and concentration of suspended material. Several hundred lakes in the Madison and Spooner, Wisconsin area were categorized for tannin or non-tannin waters and for the degree of algae, silt, weeds, and bottom effects.

Scherz, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Accuracy, resolution, and cost comparisons between small format and mapping cameras for environmental mapping

Successful aerial photography depends on aerial cameras providing acceptable photographs within cost restrictions of the job. For topographic mapping where ultimate accuracy is required only large format mapping cameras will suffice. For mapping environmental patterns of vegetation, soils, or water pollution, 9-inch cameras often exceed accuracy and cost requirements, and small formats may be better. In choosing the best camera for environmental mapping, relative capabilities and costs must be understood. This study compares resolution, photo interpretation potential, metric accuracy, and cost of 9-inch, 70mm, and 35mm cameras for obtaining simultaneous color and color infrared photography for environmental mapping purposes.

Clegg, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Water quality indicators obtainable from aircraft and Landsat images and their use in classifying lakes

Equations describing the interaction of sunlight and skylight with the surface of a lake, particles in the water to the depth where light is extinguished, and lake bottom are presented, and the use of aircraft and Landsat images to derive water quality indicators on the basis of these interactions is discussed. A very clear, deep lake with a backscatter signal similar to that of distilled water is used as a reference standard. The degree of turbidity of other target lakes is determined by comparing their residual radiance with the clear lake standard and with the residual radiance of a lake whose turbidity has been determined from water samples. The relative and absolute strengths of residual radiance are used to determine the type and concentration of suspended material, respectively. Oil slicks are characterized by an increased specular reflectance component, decreased signal from the underlying water, and added backscatter signal from the oil volume.

Scherz, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Lake eutrophication as indicated by ERTS satellite imagery

Light reflectance from water in the laboratory always correlates to the water quality parameter of turbidity. This turbidity is caused by suspended solids in the water and for a particular type of material there is a good correlation between the weight of these suspended solids and turbidity. However, this correlation is different for different types of material. When this suspended material is living green matter as in an eutrophic lake, the changes in reflectance can be detected as changes in brightness on a particular aerial image. Two test sites have shown that there is indeed a good correlation between the brightness on an ERTS image and lake eutrophication.

Scherz, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Water quality by photographic analysis

Positive correlation exists between reflectance of water and the water quality parameter of turbidity. This relationship holds for all times for a particular waste. At particular times other parameters such as suspended solids correlate to turbidity and can also be mapped. To analyze aerial photos properly to obtain water reflectance, a standard reflectance panel is needed somewhere in the frame. For this study color and color-infrared film are used and analyzed with a color microdensitometer which, with certain modifications, is also used to analyze reflectance of water samples. Noise in the analysis includes bottom effects, reflection from the air-water interface, and path luminance, but these can all be dealt with by proper techniques.

Klooster, S. A.↗

NASA NTRS1974

A catalog system for remote-sensing data

The Practical System for Cataloging, Indexing, and Retrieval of Remote Sensing Data developed by the Interdisciplinary Remote Sensing Group at the University of Wisconsin consists of a card catalog, a site-index-map, a site-index-file, an industry-index-file, and a project-index-file. The system is designed for retrieval of remote-sensing data which include imagery, magnetic tapes, flight logs, maps, ground-truth reports, and research reports containing raw data. It can be operated by conventional library methods, but provision has been made for digitizing the system for computer retrieval.

Singh, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Aircraft and satellite monitoring of water quality in Lake Superior near Duluth

Satellite images and low altitude aerial photographs often show vivid discolorations in water bodies. Extensive laboratory analysis shows that water reflectance, which causes brightness on aerial images, positively correlates to the water quality parameter of turbidity, which on a particular day correlates to suspended solids. Work with low altitude photography on three overcast days and with ERTS images on five clear days provides positive correlation of image brightness to the high turbidity and solids which are present in Lake Superior near Duluth over 50% of the time. Proper use of aerial images would have shown that an $8,000,000 drinking water intake constructed in the midst of this unpotable, turbid water should have been located 6 miles north in clear, usable water. Noise effects such as skylight reflection, atmospheric effects, and depth penetration also must be understood for operational use of remote sensing for water quality monitoring and are considered in the paper.

Scherz, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Water quality determination by photographic analysis

Aerial reconnaissance techniques to extract water quality parameters from aerial photos are reported. The turbidity can be correlated with total suspended solids if the constituent parts of the effluent remain the same and the volumetric flow remains relatively constant. A monochromator is used for the selection of the bandwidths containing the most information. White reflectance panels are used to locate sampling points and eliminate inherent energy changes from lens flare, radial lens fall-off, and changing subject illumination. Misleading information resulting from bottom effects is avoided by the use of Secchi disc readings and proper choice of wavelength for analyzing the photos.

Klooster, S. A.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Aerial and satellite photography - A valuable tool for water quality investigations

An investigation of surface, volume, and bottom effects in Lake Superior is conducted. The objective of the reported study is the development of a reliable technique for the monitoring and the quantification of the water quality parameters associated with volume reflectance. Basic relationships are discussed together with details concerning the equipment used in the studies, the water quality on the basis of aerial photos and satellite imagery, and the effects of oil on sky-light reflection.

Scherz, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Lake Superior water quality near Duluth from analysis of aerial photos and ERTS imagery

ERTS imagery of Lake Superior in the late summer of 1972 shows dirty water near the city of Duluth. Water samples and simultaneous photographs were taken on three separate days following a heavy storm which caused muddy runoff water. The water samples were analyzed for turbidity, color, and solids. Reflectance and transmittance characteristics of the water samples were determined with a spectrophotometer apparatus. This same apparatus attached to a microdensitometer was used to analyze the photographs for the approximate colors or wavelengths of reflected energy that caused the exposure. Although other parameters do correlate for any one particular day, it is only the water quality parameter of turbidity that correlates with the aerial imagery on all days, as the character of the dirty water changes due to settling and mixing.

Scherz, J. P.↗