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At least 127 records · Page 7

Nimbus 7 CZCS - Reduction of its radiometric sensitivity with time

Preliminary results are described for an effort to quantify the sensitivity decay of a radiometry sensor (the Coastal Zone Color Scanner or CZCS aboard Nimbus 7). The method used in the study is to (1) compute the water-leaving radiance for imagery acquired in regions where this radiance is known or can be independently estimated, and (2) adjust the sensor calibration to force agreement between the two radiances. Decay factors for orbit numbers from 0 to 20,000 are plotted, and surface and space measurements are compared for the Gulf Stream and the Northern Sargasso Sea at different seasons. The fact that a seasonal variability in the chlorophyll a concentration in the Sargasso Sea was found in the sensor analysis (apparently the first such satellite observation) increases confidence in the method.

Gordon, H. R.↗

Use of remote sensing in agriculture

Remote sensing studies in Virginia and Chesapeake Bay areas to investigate soil and plant conditions via remote sensing technology are reported ant the results given. Remote sensing techniques and interactions are also discussed. Specific studies on the effects of soil moisture and organic matter on energy reflection of extensively occurring Sassafras soils are discussed. Greenhouse and field studies investigating the effects of chlorophyll content of Irish potatoes on infrared reflection are presented. Selected ground truth and environmental monitoring data are shown in summary form. Practical demonstrations of remote sensing technology in agriculture are depicted and future use areas are delineated.

Pettry, D. E.↗

The 2013 FLEX-US Airborne Campaign at the Parker Tract Loblolly Pine Plantation in North Carolina, USA

The first European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA collaboration in an airborne campaign to support ESA's FLuorescence EXplorer (FLEX) mission was conducted in North Carolina, USA during September-October 2013 (FLEX-US 2013) at the Parker Tract Loblolly Pine (LP) Plantation (Plymouth, NC, USA). This campaign combined two unique airborne instrument packages to obtain simultaneous observations of solar-induced fluorescence (SIF), LiDAR-based canopy structural information, visible through shortwave infrared (VSWIR) reflectance spectra, and surface temperature, to advance vegetation studies of carbon cycle dynamics and ecosystem health. We obtained statistically significant results for fluorescence, canopy temperature, and tower fluxes from data collected at four times of day over two consecutive autumn days across an age class chronosequence. Both the red fluorescence (F685) and far-red fluorescence (F740) radiances had highest values at mid-day, but their fluorescence yields exhibited different diurnal responses across LP age classes. The diurnal trends for F685 varied with forest canopy temperature difference (canopy minus air), having a stronger daily amplitude change for young vs. old canopies. The Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI) was positively correlated with this temperature variable over the diurnal cycle. Tower measurements from mature loblolly stand showed the red/far-red fluorescence ratio was linearly related to canopy light use efficiency (LUE) over the diurnal cycle, but performed even better for the combined morning/afternoon (without midday) observations. This study demonstrates the importance of diurnal observations for interpretation of fluorescence dynamics, the need for red fluorescence to understand canopy physiological processes, and the benefits of combining fluorescence, reflectance, and structure information to clarify canopy function versus structure characteristics for a coniferous forest.

chlorophyll fluorescence; diurnal responses; red S↗

A study of marine luminescence signatures, part 1

Fluorescent excitation and emission spectral data on chlorophyll and Gelbstoff in natural sea waters from the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts show that algae particulates are totally absorbing over much of the near ultraviolet and visible spectra and act approximately as quantum counters; plant pigments absorb energy and transfer a large portion to chlorophyll where some fraction is emitted as chlorophyll fluorescence. Gelbstoff data do not exhibit quantum counter action because of their low concentration. It is concluded that luminescence data of natural sea waters are useful in monitoring algal and Gelbstoff as well as pollutant concentrations.

Hornig, A. W.↗

Red edge spectral measurements from sugar maple leaves

Many sugar maple stands in the northeastern United States experienced extensive insect damage during the 1988 growing season. Chlorophyll data and high spectral resolution spectrometer laboratory reflectance data were acquired for multiple collections of single detached sugar maple leaves variously affected by the insect over the 1988 growing season. Reflectance data indicated consistent and diagnostic differences in the red edge portion (680-750 nm) of the spectrum among the various samples and populations of leaves. These included differences in the red edge inflection point (REIP), a ratio of reflectance at 740-720 nm (RE3/RE2), and a ratio of first derivative values at 715-705 nm (D715/D705). All three red edge parameters were highly correlated with variation in total chlorophyll content. Other spectral measures, including the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Simple Vegetation Index Ratio (VI), also varied among populations and over the growing season, but did not correlate well with total chlorophyll content. Leaf stacking studies on light and dark backgrounds indicated REIP, RE3/RE2 and D715/D705 to be much less influenced by differences in green leaf biomass and background condition than either NDVI or VI.

Vogelmann, J. E.↗

A double peak in the seasonality of California's photosynthesis as observed from space

Solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) has been shown to be a powerful proxy for photosynthesis and gross primary productivity (GPP). The recently launched TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) features the required spectral resolution and signal-to-noise ratio to retrieve SIF from space. Here, we present a downscaling method to obtain 500 m spatial resolution SIF over California. We report daily values based on a 14 d window. TROPOMI SIF data show a strong correspondence with daily GPP estimates at AmeriFlux sites across multiple ecosystems in California. We find a linear relationship between SIF and GPP that is largely invariant across ecosystems with an intercept that is not significantly different from zero. Measurements of SIF from TROPOMI agree with MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) vegetation indices – the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), enhanced vegetation index (EVI), and near-infrared reflectance of vegetation index (NIR$_v$) – at annual timescales but indicate different temporal dynamics at monthly and daily timescales. TROPOMI SIF data show a double peak in the seasonality of photosynthesis, a feature that is not present in the MODIS vegetation indices. The different seasonality in the vegetation indices may be due to a clear-sky bias in the vegetation indices, whereas previous work has shown SIF to have a low sensitivity to clouds and to detect the downregulation of photosynthesis even when plants appear green. We further decompose the spatiotemporal patterns in the SIF data based on land cover. The double peak in the seasonality of California's photosynthesis is due to two processes that are out of phase: grasses, chaparral, and oak savanna ecosystems show an April maximum, while evergreen forests peak in June. An empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis corroborates the phase offset and spatial patterns driving the double peak. The EOF analysis further indicates that two spatiotemporal patterns explain 84 % of the variability in the SIF data. Results shown here are promising for obtaining global GPP at sub-kilometer spatial scales and identifying the processes driving carbon uptake.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

The LANDSAT-1 multispectral scanner as a tool in the classification of inland lakes

Relationships between LANDSAT-1 multispectral scanner (MSS) data and the trophic status of a group of lakes in the north-northeastern part of the United States were studied by predicting the magnitudes of two trophic state indicators, estimating lake position on a multivariate trophic scale, and automatically classifying lakes according to their trophic state. Initially, the principal component ordination was employed with 100 lakes. MSS data for some 20 lakes was then extracted from computer-compatible tapes (CCT) using a binary marking technique. The output was in the form of descriptive statistics and photographic concatenations. Color ratios were incorporated into regression models for the prediction of Secchi disc transparency, chlorophyll a, and lake position on the tropic scale. Results indicate that the LANDSAT-1 system, although handicapped by low spectral and spatial resolutions as well as excessive cloud cover, can be used as a supplemental data source in lake survey programs.

Boland, D. H. 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.↗

LIDAR and acoustics applications to ocean productivity

The requirements for the submersible, the instrumentation necessary to perform these measurements, and the optical and acoustical technology required to develop the ocean color scanner instrumentation are described. The development of a second generation ocean color scanner produced the need for coincident in situ scientific measurements which examine the primary productivity of the upper ocean on time and space scales which are large compared to the environmental scales. The vertical and horizontal variability of the biota, including the relationship between chlorophyll and primary productivity, the productivity of zooplankton, and the dynamic interaction between phytoplankton and zooplankton, and between these populations and the physical environment are investigated. A towed submersible will be constructed which accommodates both an underwater LIDAR instrument and a multifrequency sonar.

Collins, D. J.↗

Response of Two Legumes to Two Ultraviolet-B Radiation Regimes

Depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer has been directly linked to increased levels of UV radiation at the earth's surface. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the responses of soybean (Glycine max) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) to increased UV-B radiation (280-320 nm). Soybean and alfalfa were grown successively in a growth chamber that provided UV-B intensities 45% above nominal summer field levels. Mylar-D (UVB opaque) and mono-acetate (UV-B transparent) films were used to establish the two UV-B treatments. Soybean grown under increased UV showed 21% smaller internodal lengths and higher concentrations of UV-B absorbing pigments (i.e. flavonoids) compared to plants grown under no UV. Significant results for alfalfa included 22% greater leaf flavonoid concentration under increased UV, 14% greater leaf chlorophyll concentration under no UV, and 32% greater above-ground biomass with no UV. These leguminous species possess mechanisms that protect against UV-B damage as indicated by increases in foliar concentrations of UV-B absorbing compounds. Alfalfa appears to be more sensitive to UV-B damage than soybean. Remote sensing of chlorophyll fluorescence may offer a means of monitoring UV-induced plant stress and damage.

Levy, Daniel L.↗

Use of Landsat data to predict the trophic state of Minnesota lakes

Near-concurrent Landsat Multispectral Scanner (MSS) and ground data were obtained for 60 lakes distributed in two Landsat scene areas. The ground data included measurement of secchi disk depth, chlorophyll-a, total phosphorous, turbidity, color, and total nitrogen, as well as Carlson Trophic State Index (TSI) values derived from the first three parameters. The Landsat data best correlated with the TSI values. Prediction models were developed to classify some 100 'test' lakes appearing in the two analysis scenes on the basis of TSI estimates. Clouds, wind, poor image data, small lake size, and shallow lake depth caused some problems in lake TSI prediction. Overall, however, the Landsat-predicted TSI estimates were judged to be very reliable for the secchi-derived TSI estimation, moderately reliable for prediction of the chlorophyll-a TSI, and unreliable for the phosphorous value. Numerous Landsat data extraction procedures were compared, and the success of the Landsat TSI prediction models was a strong function of the procedure employed.

Lillesand, T. M.↗

Proceedings of the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) Performance Evaluation Workshop

The focus of the workshop was the assessment of data quality by the AVIRIS project. Summaries of 16 of the presentations are published. The AVIRIS performance evaluation period began in June 87 with flight data collection in the eastern U.S., and continued in the west until Oct. 87, after which the instrument was returned for post flight calibration. At the beginning, the sensor met all of the spatial, spectral and radiometric performance requirements except in spectrometer D, where the signal to noise ratio was below the required value. By the end, sensor performance had deteriorated due to failure of 2 critical parts and to some design deficiences. The independent assessment by the NASA investigators confirmed the assessment by the AVIRIS project. Some scientific results were derived and are presented. These include the mapping of the spatial variation of atmospheric precipitable water, detection of shift in chlorophyll red, and mineral identification.

Vane, Gregg↗

Pigment composition and concentrations within the plant (Ceratophyllum demersum L.) component of the STS-89 C.E.B.A.S. Mini-Module spaceflight experiment

The Closed Equilibrated Biological Aquatic System (C.E.B.A.S.) Mini-Module, a Space Shuttle middeck locker payload which supports a variety of aquatic inhabitants (fish, snails, plants and bacteria) in an enclosed 8.6 L chamber, was tested for its biological stability in microgravity. The aquatic plant, Ceratophyllum demersum L., was critical for the vitality and functioning of this artificial mini-ecosystem. Its photosynthetic pigment concentrations were of interest due to their light harvesting and protective functions. "Post-flight" chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations within Ceratophyllum apical segments were directly related to the quantities of light received in the experiments, with microgravity exposure (STS-89) failing to account for any significant deviation from ground control studies. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of COSPAR.

short duration↗

High Temperature Acclimation of Leaf Gas Exchange, Photochemistry, and Metabolomic Profiles in Populus trichocarpa

High temperatures alter the thermal sensitivities of numerous physiological and biochemical processes that impact tree growth and productivity. Foliar and root applications of methanol have been implicated in plant acclimation to high temperature via the C 1 pathway. Here, we characterized temperature acclimation at 35°C of leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and extractable metabolites of potted Populus trichocarpa saplings and examined potential influences of mM concentrations of methanol added during soil watering over a two-month period. Relative to plants grown under the low growth temperature (LGT), high growth temperature (HGT) plants showed a suppression of leaf water use and carbon cycling including transpiration (E), net photosynthesis (P n ), an estimate of photorespiration (R p ), and dark respiration (R d ), attributed to reductions in stomatal conductance and direct negative effects on gas exchange and photosynthetic machinery. In contrast, HGT plants showed an upregulation of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ t ), the optimum temperature for ETR, and leaf isoprene emissions at 40°C. A large number of metabolites (867) were induced under HGT, many implicated in flavonoid biosynthesis highlighting a potentially protective role for these compounds. Methanol application did not significantly alter leaf gas exchange but slightly reduced the suppression of R d and R p by the high growth temperature while slightly impairing ETR, Fv’/Fm’, and q p . However, we were unable to determine if soil methanol was sufficiently taken up by the plant to have a direct effect on foliar processes. A small number of extracted leaf tissue metabolites (55 out of 10,015) showed significantly altered abundances under LGT and methanol treatments relative to water controls, and this increased in compound number (222) at the HGT. The results demonstrate the large physiological and biochemical impacts of high growth temperature on poplar seedlings and highlights the enhancement of the optimum temperature of ETR as a rapid thermal acclimation mechanism. Finally, although no large effect on leaf physiology was observed, the results are consistent with methanol both impairing photochemistry of the light reactions via formaldehyde toxicity, and stimulating photosynthesis and dark respiration through formate oxidation to CO 2 .

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Trophic classification of Colorado lakes utilizing contact data, Landsat and aircraft-acquired multispectral scanner data

Multispectral scanner data, acquired over several Colorado lakes using Landsat-1 and aircraft, were used in conjunction with National Eutrophication Survey contact-sensed data to determine the feasibility of assessing lacustrine trophic levels. A trophic state index was developed using contact-sensed data for several trophic indicators (chlorophyll a, inverse of Secchi disk transparency, conductivity, total phosphorous, total organic nitrogen, algal assay yield). Relationships between the digitally processed multispectral scanner data, several trophic indicators, and the trophic index were examined using a supervised multispectral classification technique and regression techniques. Statistically significant correlations exist between spectral bands, several of the trophic indicators (chlorophyll a, Secchi disk transparency, total organic nitrogen), and the trophic state index. Color-coded photomaps were generated which depict the spectral aspects of trophic state. Multispectral scanner data acquired from satellite and aircraft platforms can be used to advantage in lake monitoring and survey programs.

Boland, D. H. P.↗

Targeted genetic manipulation and yeast-like evolutionary genomics in the green alga Auxenochlorella

Auxenochlorella spp. are diploid oleaginous green algae whose streamlined genomes can be readily manipulated by homologous recombination, making them highly amenable to discovery research and bioengineering. Vegetatively diploid organisms experience specific evolutionary phenomena, including allodiploid hybridization, mitotic recombination, loss-of-heterozygosity, and aneuploidy; however, studies of these forces have largely focused on yeasts. Here, we present a telomere-to-telomere phased diploid genome assembly of Auxenochlorella UTEX 250-A (haploid length 22 Mb) and introduce a genetic toolkit for site-specific manipulation of the nuclear genome in multiple strains, featuring several selectable markers, inducible promoters, and fluorescent reporters for protein localization. UTEX 250-A is an allodiploid hybrid of Auxenochlorella protothecoides and Auxenochlorella symbiontica, two species differentiated by extensive chromosomal rearrangements. UTEX 250-A haplotypes are a mosaic of each parental species following mitotic recombination, and two chromosomes are trisomic. Loss-of-heterozygosity events are pervasive across Auxenochlorella and can evolve rapidly in the laboratory. High-quality structural annotation yielded ∼7,500 genes per haplotype. Auxenochlorella have experienced gene family loss and reduction, including core photosynthesis genes, and exhibit periodic adenine and cytosine methylation at promoters and gene bodies, respectively. Approximately 10% of genes, especially those involved in DNA repair and sex, overlap antisense long noncoding RNAs, which may participate in a regulatory mechanism. We demonstrate the utility of Auxenochlorella for fundamental research by knockout of a chlorophyll biosynthesis enzyme, and confirm one trisomy by allele-specific transformation. These results demonstrate the generality of several evolutionary forces associated with vegetative diploidy and provide a foundation for the use of Auxenochlorella as a reference organism.

CHL27↗

Lipophilic pigments from cyanobacterial (blue-green algal) and diatom mats in Hamelin Pool, Shark Bay, Western Australia

Lipophilic pigments were examined in microbial mat communities dominated by cyanobacteria in the intertidal zone and by diatoms in the subtidal and sublittoral zones of Hamelin Pool, Shark Bay, Western Australia. These microbial mats have evolutionary significance because of their similarity to lithfied stromatolites from the Proterozoic and Early Paleozoic eras. Fucoxanthin, diatoxanthin, diadinoxanthin, beta-carotene, and chlorophylls a and c characterized the diatom mats, whereas cyanobacterial mats contained myxoxanthophyll, zeaxanthin, echinenone, beta-carotene, chlorophyll a and, in some cases, sheath pigment. The presence of bacteriochlorophyll a within the mats suggest a close association of photosynthetic bacteria with diatoms and cyanobacteria. The high carotenoids : chlorophyll a ratios (0.84-2.44 wt/wt) in the diatom mats suggest that carotenoids served a photoprotective function in this high light environment. By contrast, cyanobacterial sheath pigment may have largely supplanted the photoprotective role of carotenoids in the intertidal mats.

NASA Discipline Exobiology↗

A Slow Retrieval Algorithm for Satellite and Surface Based Instruments

We present results of a retrieval algorithm for satellite and ground based instruments using the Arizona radiative transfer code. A state vector describing the atmospheric and surface condition is iteratively modified until the calculated radiances match the observed values. Elements of the state vector include: aerosol concentrations, radius, optical properties, mass-weighted altitudes, chlorophyll concentration and wind speed. While computationally expensive, many assumptions used in other retrieval algorithms are not invoked. We present co-located retrievals for MODIS, SEAWIFS and nearby AERONET sites. MODIS AQUA and SEA WIFS: Ten MODIS (.412 - 2.110 microns) and eight SEA WIFS (.412-.865 microns) radiances (.412-.865 microns) include channels where aerosols absorb and reflect radiation. We focus on retrieving bio-mass burning aerosols that are advected over open ocean. Since chlorophyll absorbs at frequencies where black carbon absorbs, our retrieval algorithm accounts for chlorophyll absorption by simultaneously retrieving both aerosol and chlorophyll amount. Our retrieved chlorophyll concentrations are similar to those from the Ocean Color Group. AERONET: Both Almucantar and Principle plane radiances are used to retrieve the state of the atmosphere and ocean conditions. Our retrieved aerosol size distributions and optical properties are consistent with the aerosol inversions from the AERONET group.

Weaver, C.↗