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At least 181 records · Page 10

Remote measurement of water color in coastal waters

An investigation was conducted to develop procedure to obtain quantitative values for chlorophyll and turbidity in coastal waters by observing the changes in spectral radiance of the backscattered spectrum. The technique under consideration consists of Examining Exotech model 20-D spectral radiometer data and determining which radiance ratios best correlated with chlorophyll and turbidity measurements as obtained from analyses of water samples and sechi visibility readings. Preliminary results indicate that there is a correlation between backscattered light and chlorophyll concentration and secchi visibility. The tests were conducted with the spectrometer mounted in a light aircraft over the Mississippi Sound at altitudes of 2.5K, 2.8K and 10K feet.

Weldon, J. W.↗

Transmissometry and suspended matter in lower Chesapeake Bay - Correlation with ERTS multispectral imagery

The use of multispectral imagery from the Earth Resources Technology Satellite to quantitatively monitor turbidity and suspended matter of estuarine waters is being evaluated in this study. Synoptic measurements of surface-water characteristics are being made on three baselines in lower Chesapeake Bay in synchrony with satellite overpasses. Turbidity is measured as transmittance by a continuously recording transmissometer, and suspended matter is collected by filtration. Preliminary correlations to ERTS multispectral imagery have been made by microdensitometry. Final correlations will be made from the bulk tape format.

Bowker, D. E.↗

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.↗

Mariner 9 ultraviolet spectrometer experiment - Pressure-altitude measurements on Mars

Ultraviolet spectrometer measurements of the reflectance at 3050 A are modeled to give pressure-altitudes for Mars assuming a quiescent atmosphere. Ultraviolet light that is Rayleigh-scattered by the Mars molecular atmosphere, with allowance for uniform turbidity, is proportional to surface pressure independent of atmospheric temperature structure. All model constants except the over-all scaling factors are found by requiring ultraviolet spectrometer pressures of 47 locations on the planet to be the same when measured at different geometries. The overall scaling factor is found by intercomparison with Mariner 9 occultation pressures. Comparison with other Mars pressure-altitude measurements show deviations from the assumption of uniform turbidity to occur over the Hesperia plateau for ultraviolet measurements obtained during the 13-26 February 1972 time period.

Hord, C. W.↗

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.↗

A study of a dual polarization laser backscatter system for remote identification and measurement of water pollution

Remote identification and measurement of subsurface water turbidity and oil on water was accomplished with analytical models which describe the backscatter from smooth surface turbid water, including single scatter and multiple scatter effects. Lidar measurements from natural waterways are also presented and compared with ground observations of several physical water quality parameters.

Sheives, T. C.↗

Monitoring physical and chemical parameters of Delaware Bay waters with an ERTS-1 data collection platform

The author has identified the following significant results. Results of the analysis of data collected during the summer of 1974 demonstrate that the ERTS Data Collection Platform (DCP) is quite responsive to changing water parameters and that this information can be successfully transmitted under all weather conditions. The monitoring of on-site probe outputs reveals a rapid response to changing water temperature, salinity, and turbidity conditions on incoming tides as the tidal salt wedge passes the probe location. The changes in water properties were corroborated by simultaneously sampling the water for subsequent laboratory analysis. Fluctuations observed in the values of salinity, conductivity, temperature and water depth over short time intervals were extremely small. Due to the nature of the probe, 10% to 20% fluctuations were observed in the turbidity values. The use of the average of the values observed during an overpass provided acceptable results. Good quality data was obtained from the satellite on each overpass regardless of weather conditions. Continued use of the DCP will help provide an indication of the accuracy of the probes and transmission system during long term use.

Klemas, V.↗

Feasibility of remote sensing for detecting thermal pollution. Part 1: Feasibility study. Part 2: Implementation plan

A feasibility study for the development of a three-dimensional generalized, predictive, analytical model involving remote sensing, in-situ measurements, and an active system to remotely measure turbidity is presented. An implementation plan for the development of the three-dimensional model and for the application of remote sensing of temperature and turbidity measurements is outlined.

Veziroglu, T. N.↗

Application of LANDSAT to the surveillance and control of lake eutrophication in the Great Lakes Basin

The author has identified the following significant results. Preliminary results in Saginaw Bay show that processed LANDSAT data provides a synoptic view of turbidity and circulation patterns that no degree of ground monitoring can provide. Processed imagery was produced to show nine discrete categories of turbidity, as indicated by nine Secchi depths between 0.3 and 3.3 meters. Analysis of lakes near Madison, Wisconsin show that inland lake water can be categorized by LANDSAT as clear, tannin, algal, and red clay. LANDSAT's capability to inventory watershed land use was throughly demonstrated in the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana regional planning area. Computer tabulations providing area covered by each of 16 land use categories were rapidly and economically produced for each of the 225 watersheds and nine counties.

Rogers, R. H.↗

Environmental observations of the Great Salt Lake Basin from ERTS-1

Some ERTS-1 observations of snowcover, turbidity variations in the major lakes, surface water area changes, land use features, and phenomena associated with industrial emissions are described. Turbidity patterns in the major water bodies can be observed that appear to be related to the general wind flow, or to lake circulation patterns, and the chemical or biological constituents in the water. Monthly, seasonal, and annual changes in surface water extent can be monitored and serve as indicators of water availability. Time and space variations in snowcover that are a function of exposure or time of year were observed in some regions. Specific measurements of snowline altitude during the major snowmelt period of 1973 were obtained. The existence and effect of industrial emission on vegetation were found to be detectable.

Smith, A. F.↗

Hydrographic charting from LANDSAT Satellite: A comparison with aircraft imagery

The relative capabilities of two remote-sensing systems in measuring depth and, consequently, bottom contours in sandy-bottomed and sediment-laden coastal waters were determined quantitatively. The multispectral scanner (MSS), orbited on the LANDSAT-2 Satellite, and the ocean color scanner (OCS), flown on U-2 aircraft, were used. Analysis of imagery taken simultaneously indicates a potential for hydrographic charting of marine coastal and shallow shelf areas, even when water turbidity is a factor. Several of the eight optical channels examined on the OCS were found to be sensitive to depth or depth-related information. The greatest sensitivity was in OCS-4(0.544 + or - 0.012 microns) from which contours corresponding to depths up to 12m were determined. The sharpness of these contours and their spatial stability through time suggests that upwelling radiance is a measure of bottom reflectance and not of water turbidity. The two visible channels on LANDSAT's MSS were less sensitive in the discrimination of contours, with depths up to 8m in the high-gain mode (3x) determined in MSS-4(0.5 to 0.6 microns).

Middleton, E. M.↗

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.↗

Effect of atmospheric parameters on silicon cell performance

The effects of changing atmospheric parameters on the performance of a typical silicon solar cell were calculated. The precipitable water vapor content, airmass and turbidity were varied over wide ranges and the normal terrestrial distribution of spectral irradiance was studied. The cell short-circuit current was then computed for each spectral irradiance distribution using the cell spectral response. Data are presented in the form of calibration number (cell current/incident irradiance) vs. water vapor content or turbidity.

Curtis, H. B.↗

Seismotectonic, structural, volcanologic, and geomorphic study of New Zealand; indigenous forest assessment in New Zealand; mapping, land use, and environmental studies in New Zealand, volume 2

The author has identified the following significant results. Ship detection via LANDSAT MSS data was demonstrated. In addition, information on ship size, orientation, and movement was obtained. Band 7 was used for the initial detection followed by confirmation on other MSS bands. Under low turbidity, as experienced in open seas, the detection of ships 100 m long was verified and detection of ships down to 30 m length theorized. High turbidity and sea state inhibit ship detection by decreasing S/N ratios. The radiance effect from snow of local slope angles and orientation was also studied. Higher radiance values and even overloading in three bands were recorded for the sun-facing slope. Local hot spots from solar reflection appear at several locations along transect D-C in Six Mile Creek Basin during September 1976.

Probine, M. C.↗

A Landsat study of water quality in Lake Okeechobee

This paper uses multiple regression techniques to investigate the relationship between Landsat radiance values and water quality measurements. For a period of over one year, the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control District sampled the water of Lake Okeechobee for chlorophyll, carotenoids, turbidity, and various nutrients at the time of Landsat overpasses. Using an overlay map of the sampling stations, Landsat radiance values were measured from computer compatible tapes using a GE image 100 and averaging over a 22-acre area at each station. These radiance values in four bands were used to form a number of functions (powers, logarithms, exponentials, and ratios), which were then compared with the ground measurements using multiple linear regression techniques. Several dates were used to provide generality and to study possible seasonal variations. Individual correlations were presented for the various water quality parameters and best fit equations were examined for chlorophyll and turbidity. The results and their relationship to past hydrological research were discussed.

Gervin, J. C.↗

Experimental and theoretical studies on solar energy for energy conversion

This paper presents the results of investigations made experimentally and theoretically to evaluate the various parameters that affect the amount of solar energy received on a collector surface. Measurements were made over a long period of time using both pyranometer and pyrheliometer. Computation of spectral and total irradiance at ground level have been made for a large variety of combinations of atmospheric parameters for ozone density, precipitable water vapor, turbidity-coefficients and air mass. A study of the air mass as a function of irradiance measured at GSFC, and comparison of the data with the computed values of total direct solar irradiance for various parameters indicate that turbidity changes with time of the day; atmospheric opacity is less in the afternoon than in the morning.

Thomas, A. P.↗

LANDSAT menhaden and thread herring resources investigation

The author has identified the following significant results. The relationship between the distribution of menhaden and selected oceanographic parameters (water color, turbidity, and possibly chlorophyll concentrations) was established. Similar relationships for thread herring were not established nor were relationships relating to the abundance of either species. Use of aircraft and LANDSAT remote sensing instruments to measure or infer a set of basic oceanographic parameters was evaluated. Parameters which could be accurately inferred included surface water temperature, salinity, and color. Water turbidity (Secchi disk) was evaluated as marginally inferrable from the LANDSAT MSS data and chlorophyll-a concentrations as less than marginal. These evaluations considered the parameters only as experienced in the two test areas using available sensors and statistical techniques.

Kemmerer, A. J.↗

Hydrographic charting from Landsat satellite - A comparison with aircraft imagery

The relative capabilities of two remote-sensing systems in measuring depth and, consequently, bottom contours in sandy-bottomed and sediment-laden coastal waters were determined quantitatively. The Multispectral Scanner (MSS), orbited on the Landsat-2 satellite, and the Ocean Color Scanner (OCS), flown on U-2 aircraft, were used for this evaluation. Analysis of imagery taken simultaneously indicates a potential for hydrographic charting of marine coastal and shallow shelf areas, even when water turbidity is a factor. Several of the eight optical channels examined on the OCS were found to be sensitive to depth or depth-related information. The greatest sensitivity was in OCS-4 (0.544 plus or minus 0.012 micron) from which contours corresponding to depths up to 12 m were determined. The sharpness of these contours and their spatial stability through time suggests that upwelling radiance is a measure of bottom reflectance and not of water turbidity. The two visible channels on Landsat's MSS were less sensitive in the discrimination of contours, with depths up to 8 m in the high-gain mode (3 X) determined in MSS-4 (0.5 to 0.6 micron).

Middleton, E. M.↗