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At least 433 records · Page 24

Investigation of remote sensing to detect near-surface groundwater on irrigated lands

The application of remote sensing techniques was studied for detecting areas with high water tables in irrigated agricultural lands. Aerial data were collected by the LANDSAT-1 satellite and aircraft over the Kansas/Bostwick Irrigation District in Republic and Jewell Counties, Kansas. LANDSAT-1 data for May 12 and August 10, 1973, and aircraft flights (midday and predawn) on August 10 and 11, 1973, and June 25 and 26, 1974, were obtained. Surface and water table contour maps and active observation well hydrographs were obtained from the Bureau of Reclamation for use in the analysis. Results of the study reveal that LANDSAT-1 data (May MSS band 6 and August MSS band 7) correlate significantly (0.01 level) with water table depth for 144 active observation wells located throughout the Kansas/Bostwick Irrigation District. However, a map of water table depths of less than 1.83 meters prepared from the LANDSAT-1 data did not compare favorably with a map of seeped lands of less than 1.22 m (4 feet) to the water table. Field evaluation of the map is necessary for a complete analysis. Analysis of three fields on a within or single-field basis for the 1973 LANDSAT-1 data also showed significant correlation results.

Ryland, D. W.↗

HCMM energy budget data as a model input for assessing regions of high potential groundwater pollution

The author has identified the following significant results. The finite difference model was used to calculate the differences in surface temperature between two hypothetical sites which result from a temperature difference at 50 cm due to the presence of shallow ground water at one of the sites. Although qualitative results of the model seemed consistant with experimental results, further evaluation showed a need for taking account of differences in thermal conductivity due to different moisture profiles at the two sites considered.

Moore, D. G.↗

HCMM energy budget data as a model input for assessing regions of high potential groundwater pollution

The author has identified the following significant results. To investigate the general relationship between surface temperature and soil moisture profiles, a series of model calculations were carried out. Soil temperature profiles were calculated during a complete diurnal cycle for a variety of moisture profiles. Preliminary results indicate the surface temperature difference between two sites measured at about 1400 hours is related to the difference in soil moisture within the diurnal damping depth (about 50 cm). The model shows this temperature difference to vary considerably throughout the diurnal cycle.

Moore, D. G.↗

HCMM energy budget data as a model input for assessing regions of high potential groundwater pollution

The author has identified the following significant results. In early April 1978, heavy spring runoff from snowmelt caused significant flooding along a portion of the Big Sioux River Basin in southeastern South Dakota. The flooded area was visible from surrounding areas on a May 15 HCMM IR test image. On May 15, the flood waters had receded but an area of anomalous residual high soil moisture remained. The high soil moisture area was not visible on a HCMM day visible test image of the same scene, or on LANDSAT imagery. To evaluate the effect of water table depth on surface temperatures, thermal scanner data collected on September 5 and 6, 1978 at approximate HCMM overpass times at an altitude of 3650 m were analyzed. Apparent surface temperatures measured by the scanner included emittance contributions from soil surface and the land cover. Results indicated that the shallow water tables produced a damping of the amplitude of the diurnal surface temperature wave.

Moore, D. G.↗

Morphology of large valleys on Hawaii - Evidence for groundwater sapping and comparisons with Martian valleys

Morphometric data on the runoff and sapping valleys on the slopes of Hawaii and Molokai in Hawaii are analyzed. The analysis reveals a clear distinction between the runoff valleys and sapping valleys. The Hawaiian sapping valleys are characterized by: (1) steep valley walls and flat floors, (2) amphitheater heads, (3) low drainage density, (4) paucity of downstream tributaries, (5) low frequency of up-dip tributaries, and (6) structural and stratigraphic control on valley patterns. The characteristics of the Hawaiian sapping valleys are compared to Martian valleys and experimental systems, and good correlation between the data is detected. Flume experiments were also conducted to study the evolution of sapping valleys in response to variable structure and stratigraphy.

Kochel, R. Craig↗

Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Exploration for Groundwater on Mars

Water with even a small amount of dissolved solids has an electrical conductivity orders of magnitude higher than dry rock and is therefore a near-ideal exploration target on Mars for low frequency, diffusive electromagnetic methods. Models of the temperature- and frequency-dependent electrical properties of rock-ice-water mixtures are used to predict the electromagnetic response of the Martian subsurface. Detection of ice is difficult unless it is massively segregated. In contrast, liquid water profoundly affects soundings, and even a small amount of adsorbed water in the cryosphere can be detected. Subcryospheric water is readily distinguishable at frequencies as low as 100 Hz for fresh water to 10 mHz for brines. These responses can be measured using either natural or artificial sources. Ultra low frequency signals from solar wind and diurnal-heating perturbations of the ionosphere are likely, and disturbances of regional crustal magnetic fields may also be observable. Spherics, or extremely to very low frequency signals from lightning discharge, would provide optimal soundings; however, lightning may be the least likely of the possible natural sources. Among the active techniques, only the time-domain electromagnetic (TDEM) method can accommodate a closely spaced transmitter and receiver and sound to depths of hundreds of meters or more. A ground- or aircraft-based TDEM system of several kilograms can detect water to a depth of several hundred meters, and a system of tens of kilograms featuring a large, fixed, rover- or ballistically deployed loop can detect water to several kilometers depth.

Grimm, Robert E.↗