Microwave radiometry for soil moisture sensing

Abstract

Investigations have been conducted with truck-mounted radiometers to study the variation of microwave emissivity from a soil. It was found that the longer wavelength radiometers, (21 cm), are preferable for the remote sensing of soil moisture. Aircraft observations indicated a nonlinear dependence of microwave brightness temperature on soil moisture. The dielectric constants of soils are considered along with the radiative transfer in soils, and soil water characteristics. A description is presented of test flights conducted with a NASA aircraft, taking into account soil moisture measurements and instrumentation. The obtained results show that the surface emissivity of a soil is determined by the dielectric properties of the surface soil layer a few tenths of a wavelength thick while the thermal sampling depths are much greater. The capability of the 21-cm radiometer to sense soil-moisture variations through a moderate vegetation canopy, and the promising Skylab results encourage consideration of a radiometer operating at this wavelength for routine soil moisture observations.