Characterization of complex fluvial systems using remote sensing of spatial and temporal water level variations in the Amazon,Congo, and Brahmaputra Rivers

The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite mission will provide global, space‐based estimates of water elevation, its temporal change, and its spatial slope in fluvial environments, as well as across lakes, reservoirs, wetlands, and floodplains. This paper illustrates the utility of existing remote sensing measurements of water temporal changes and spatial slope to characterize two complex fluvial environments. First, repeat‐pass interferometric SAR measurements from the Japanese Earth Resources Satellite are used to compare and contrast floodplain processes in the Amazon and Congo River basins. Measurements of temporal water level changes over the two areas reveal clearly different hydraulic processes at work. The Amazon is highly interconnected by floodplain channels, resulting in complex flow patterns. In contrast, the Congo does not show similar floodplain channels and the flow patterns are not well defined and have diffuse boundaries. During inundation, the Amazon floodplain often shows sharp hydraulic changes across floodplain channels. The Congo, however, does not show similar sharp changes during either infilling or evacuation. Second, Shuttle Radar Topography Mission measurements of water elevation are used to derive water slope over the braided Brahmaputra river system. In combination with in situ bathymetry measurements, water elevation and slope allow one to calculate discharge estimates within 2.3% accuracy. These two studies illustrate the utility of satellite‐based measurements of water elevation for characterizing complex fluvial environments, and highlight the potential of SWOT measurements for fluvial hydrology. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Satellite remote sensing of river inundation area,stage, and discharge: a review

The growing availability of multi-temporal satellite data has increased opportunities for monitoring large rivers from space. A variety of passive and active sensors operating in the visible and microwave range are currently operating, or planned, which can estimate inundation area and delineate flood boundaries. Radar altimeters show great promise for directly measuring stage variation in large rivers. It also appears to be possible to obtain estimates of river discharge from space, using ground measurements and satellite data to construct empirical curves that relate water surface area to discharge. Extrapolation of these curves to ungauged sites may be possible for the special case of braided rivers. Where clouds, trees and floating vegetation do not obscure the water surface, high-resolution visible/infrared sensors provide good delineation of inundated areas. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors can penetrate clouds and can also detect standing water through emergent aquatic plants and forest canopies. However, multiple frequencies and polarizations are required for optimal discrimination of various inundated vegetation cover types. Existing single-polarization, fixed-frequency SARs are not sufficient for mapping inundation area in all riverine environments. In the absence of a space-borne multi-parameter SAR, a synergistic approach using single-frequency, fixed-polarization SAR and visible/infrared data will provide the best results over densely vegetated river floodplains. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modelling the water level of the alluvial aquifer of an ephemeral river in south-western Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT

Water from the alluvium of ephemeral rivers in Zimbabwe is increasingly being used. These alluvial aquifers are recharged annually from infiltrating floodwater. Nonetheless, the size of this water resource is not without limit and an understanding of the hydrological processes of an alluvial aquifer is required for its sustainable management. This paper presents the development of a water balance model, which estimates the water level in an alluvial aquifer recharged by surface flow and rainfall, while allowing for abstraction, evaporation and other losses. The model is coupled with a watershed model, which generates inflows from upland catchment areas and tributaries. Climate, hydrological, land cover and geomorphological data were collected as inputs to both models as well as observed flow and water levels for model calibration and validation. The sand river model was found to be good at simulating the observed water level and was most sensitive to porosity and seepage.     

Assessing the feasibility of integrating remote sensing and in-situ measurements in monitoring water quality status of Lake Chivero,Zimbabwe

This work investigates the likelihood of integrating the cheap and readily-available broadband multispectral MODIS data and in-situ measurements in quantifying and monitoring water quality status of an inland lake within Upper Manyame Catchment in Zimbabwe. Specifically we used MODIS images to quantify inland lake chlorophyll_a concentrations, as a proxy for predicting lake pollution levels. The findings of this study show a high chlorophyll_a concentration of 0.101 ± 0.128 μg/L within the Lake. The results further demonstrated that the chlorophyll_a concentration levels did not significantly vary (p = 0.788) between sites, except among depths (p = 0.05). Further, prediction results based on the relationship between observed and predicted chlorophyll_a produced a high R² value of 0.89 and a root mean square error (RMSE) value of 0.003 μg/L. Moreover, the derived landuse maps of Upper Manyame Catchment indicated a significant variation in the percentage settlement in 1985, 1994 and 2010 change from 1985 to 2010. For instance, 8% increase in settlement in the period between 1994 and 2010 and over 12% increase from 1985 to 2010 and a decline in percent forest coverage (i.e. 9.8% in 1985 to 2.0% in the year 2010) in the catchment was observed. Overall, the findings of this study highlights the importance of free and readily-available satellite datasets (such as the multispectral MODIS and Landsat) in quantifying and monitoring water quality across inland lakes especially in data-scarce areas like Sub-Saharan Africa.     

基于Landsat与Sentinel-3A卫星数据的当惹雍错1988-2018年湖泊水位-水量变化及归因

湖泊变化是气候变化的指示器.为探索利用单一短时间尺度的卫星水位数据源估算长时间序列的湖泊水量变化的可行性,本文利用短时间尺度（2016—2018年） Sentinel-3A合成孔径雷达高度计（SRAL）作为唯一卫星水位数据源,以藏北高原内陆湖泊当惹雍错为例,结合基于Landsat光学遥感数据提取的1988—2018年的湖泊面积,综合分析2016—2018年间的非结冰期遥感湖泊面积与遥感湖泊水位变化,基于该时段范围的水位变化-面积变化关系和水量估算公式,估算1988—2018年湖泊水位水量变化与2001—2018年的年内变化,并结合GLDAS产品数据与雪线变化情况初步探讨湖泊变化的可能原因.结果表明：当惹雍错近30年湖泊面积扩张明显,湖泊水位、水量增加显著,相比1988年,2018年的湖泊面积、水位、水量分别增加21.1 km²、5.29 m、44.75亿m³.其中1988—1998年湖泊面积-水位-水量有所减少,2000—2018年间湖泊变化总体呈增加趋势.2001—2018年内湖泊面积、水位、水量变化呈现干湿季特征.1996—2014/2015年湖泊水量变化为38.3亿/35.5亿m³,水量变化趋势、变化量与以往对应时间段的研究结果具有较强的一致性.湖泊面积扩张主要发生在水下地形平缓的东南部和中西部区域.结合气候因素与雪线变化的分析表明,湖泊水量变化受降雨、气温影响复杂,长时间年际尺度上的湖泊水量增长与气温的一致性较降水量强,湖泊湿季受降水量与气温的影响都较大,其中2008—2018年的湿季降水量、气温与水量变化散点拟合的确定性系数R²分别为0.613、0.845.该研究表明Sentinel-3A合成孔径雷达数据在湖泊水量变化估算上的潜力,为利用单一且只具有短时段数据的卫星雷达数据估算长时间序列湖泊水量变化提供依据.     

遥感技术在防震减灾领域中的应用

为了有效地组织救灾和震后重建,快速地获取地震造成的破坏程度、破坏范围成为至关重要的一环。遥感技术本身所具有的宏观性、时效性、经济高效性使其被广泛应用于防震减灾事业中。本文简单介绍了遥感技术的原理、特点及其在防震减灾领域中的应用历史及现状。在借鉴已有成果的基础上较系统地阐述了遥感技术在地震防灾方面的应用及展望。     

The remote sensing observation in experiments of rock failure and the beginning of remote sensing rock mechanics

The remote sensing observational study for infrared radiation of rocks was proceeded during the loading on rocks until failure. The major instruments used in experiments were transient spectrum apparatus, intelligent spectrum apparatus, infrared radiation thermometer, infrared spectrum radiometer, and infrared thermal imaging system. The experiments for 26 kinds of rocks were made. The studies show that infrared radiation temperature of rocks increases along with increasing of stress. The amplitude of infrared radiation spectrum of rocks also increases along with increasing of stress. The observational results of infrared thermal imaging of rocks are consistent with infrared radiation temperature. Before formation of major faults for some rocks, the belt-shape thermal imaging of temperature anomaly displaies in position of future major faults. This study has led the new technology of remote sensing into rock mechanics and tend to establish a new field in rock mechanics — remote sensing rock mechanics (or remote sensing rock physics). The application of remote sensing rock mechanics in prediction of earthquake and rock burst, and in measurement of stress field in rock mass is expected. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,14, Supp., 645–652, 1992. Jin-Shen HAO, Ji-Han LI, Xiao-Hong LIU, Yi-Qiao ZHI, Jin-Kai ZHANG, Yong-Hong Lü, Yi LIU, Yun-Shen YU, He ZHANG, Quan-Quan JI, Xiao-Fan ZHU and Ning CHEN took part in this work. This subject is supported by the Chinese Joint Seismological Science Foundation (91006). Work of Institute of Geophysics, SSB (93A0009).     

非传统湖泊水色遥感的现状与发展

外界环境条件以及自身因素的驱动,改变了传统湖泊水色遥感垂向均一的理论假设前提,基于垂向非均匀条件的湖泊水体水色参数的遥感称之为非传统湖泊水色遥感.本文分析了传统水色遥感面临的挑战,且非传统湖泊水色遥感中藻类叶绿素a浓度的垂向分布类型及其定量表达、水下光场分布的定量表达模型与数值模拟方法,给出垂向异质水体遥感反射比的定量表达式,分析了藻类垂向异质对水色参数遥感反演模型的影响,最后提出下一步需要重点关注的问题.     

Linking hydrology and sediment dynamics of large alluvial rivers to landscape diversity in the Ganga dispersal system,India

Discharge and sediment load data for several stations along the Ganga River and its major tributaries in the western Ganga plains (WGP) for a period of ~30 years have been analysed to understand the hydrological characteristics and sediment dynamics. In terms of hydrology, the rivers are less flood‐prone than believed, exceeding bankfull discharges less frequently than the expected 1.5 year return interval. This has been attributed to the rivers of this region occupying incised valleys formed in the Late Quaternary period. Rivers draining the WGP are supply‐limited systems compared to those draining the eastern Ganga plains (EGP) which have been characterized as transport‐limited systems. We suggest that such geomorphic diversity as a function of spatial variability in precipitation regime and hinterland geology has existed for at least the Late Quaternary period and they in turn influence the modern day hydrology of the river systems in a significant way. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of a flood water level estimation method using satellite images and a digital elevation model for the Mekong floodplain

We have developed a flood water level estimation method that only employs satellite images and a DEM. The method involves three steps: (1) discriminating flood areas and identifying clumps of each flood area, (2) extracting the edges of the identified flood area using a buffering technique, and (3) performing spatial interpolation to transform the extracted elevation to flood water levels. We compared the estimated flood water levels with the observed ones. The RMSE using the RADARSAT was 1.99 and 1.30 m at river and floodplain points, respectively, whereas the RMSE using the MODIS was 4.33 and 1.33 m at the river and floodplain points, respectively. Given that most errors are attributed to the DEM, the method exhibited good performance. Furthermore, the method reproduced the flow directions and flood water level changes during the flooding period. Thus, we demonstrated that the characteristics of flood inundation can be understood even when ground observation data cannot be obtained.     

Estimation of maize yield by using a process-based model and remote sensing data in the Northeast China Plain

Climate change significantly impact on agriculture in recent year, the accurate estimation of crop yield is of great importance for the food security. In this study, a process-based mechanism model was modified to estimate yield of C₄ crop by modifying the carbon metabolic pathway in the photosynthesis sub-module of the RS–P–YEC (Remote-Sensing–Photosynthesis–Yield estimation for Crops) model. The yield was calculated by multiplying net primary productivity (NPP) and the harvest index (HI) derived from the ratio of grain to stalk yield. The modified RS–P–YEC model was used to simulate maize yield in the Northeast China Plain during the period 2002–2011. The 111 statistical data of maize yield from study area was used to validate the simulated results at county-level. The results showed that the Pearson correlation coefficient (R) was 0.827 (p < 0.01) between the simulated yield and the statistical data, and the root mean square error (RMSE) was 712 kg/ha with a relative error (RE) of 9.3%. From 2002 to 2011, the yield of maize planting zone in the Northeast China Plain was increasing with smaller coefficient of variation (CV). The spatial pattern of simulated maize yield was consistent with the actual distribution in the Northeast China Plain, with an increasing trend from the northeast to the southwest. Hence the results demonstrated that the modified process-based model coupled with remote sensing data was suitable for yield prediction of maize in the Northeast China Plain at the spatial scale.     

Application of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery to volcano mapping in the humid tropics: a case study in East Java, Indonesia

 Volcanoes in humid tropical environments are frequently cloud covered, typically densely vegetated and rapidly eroded. These factors complicate field and laboratory studies and even the basic identification of potentially active volcanoes. Numerous previous studies have highlighted the potential value of radar remote sensing for volcanology in equatorial regions. Here, cloud- and vegetation-penetrating L_HH-band (λ≈24 cm) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data from the Japanese Earth Resources Satellite (JERS-1) are used to investigate persistently active volcanoes and prehistoric calderas in East Java, Indonesia. The L_HH-band JERS-1 SAR produces high-spatial-resolution (18 m) imagery with relatively high incidence angle that highlights structures and topographic variations at or greater than the wavelength scale while minimising geometrical distortions such as layover and foreshortening. These images, along with Internet browse data derived from the Canadian RADARSAT mission, provide new evidence relating regional tectonics to volcanism throughout East Java. Volcanic events, such as caldera collapse at the Tengger caldera, appear to have been partly controlled by northwest-aligned faults related to intra-arc sedimentary basins. Similar regional controls appear important at historically active Lamongan volcano, which is encircled by numerous flank maars and cinder cones. A previously undocumented pyroclastic sheet and debris avalanche deposit from the Jambangan caldera complex is also manifested in the synoptic radar images. At the currently active Semeru volcano these data permit identification of recent pyroclastic flow and lahar deposits. Radar data therefore offer a valuable tool for mapping and hazard assessment at late Quaternary volcanoes. The criteria developed in the analysis here could be applied to other regions in the humid tropics. Received: 25 June 1998 / Accepted: 20 January 1999     

An evaluation of the role played by remote sensing technology following the World Trade Center attack

Remote sensing technology has been widely recognized for contributing to emergency response efforts after the World Trade Center attack on September 11th, 2001. The need to coordinate activities in the midst of a dense, yet relatively small area, made the combination of imagery and mapped data strategically useful. This paper reviews the role played by aerial photography, satellite imagery, and LIDAR data at Ground Zero. It examines how emergency managers utilized these datasets, and identifies significant problems that were encountered. It goes on to explore additional ways in which imagery could have been used, while presenting recommendations for more effective use in future disasters and Homeland Security applications. To plan adequately for future events, it was important to capture knowledge from individuals who responded to the World Trade Center attack. In recognition, interviews with key emergency management and geographic information system (GIS) personnel provide the basis of this paper. Successful techniques should not be forgotten, or serious problems dismissed. Although widely used after September 11th, it is important to recognize that with better planning, remote sensing and GIS could have played an even greater role. Together with a data acquisition timeline, an expanded discussion of these issues is available in the MCEER/NSF report “Emergency Response in the Wake of the World Trade Center Attack; The Remote Sensing Perspective” (Huyck and Adams, 2002)     

Water level changes in Lake Constance and their relationship to changes in macrophyte settlement in the outflows of Lake Constance Upper and Lower Lake

Since 2008, water level differences between Upper and Lower Lake Constance have increased after they decreased significantly in the 20th century. Questioning the causes leads to the hypothesis that the significant changes in the submerged macrophyte vegetation due to eutrophication and subsequent oligotrophication have played an essential role over the past decades. To clarify whether macrophyte vegetation is the cause of the changed water levels, the spatial distribution of Swiss pondweed Potamogeton helveticus (syn. Stuckenia helvetica) and the other submerged macrophytes was mapped in 2017. Swiss pondweed, in particular plays a key role as a perennial plant type in flow channels. Shoot densities and lengths of this species were recorded by diving. The investigations were supplemented by hydrodynamic modeling of the effects of macrophyte flow resistance on lake water level relationships.The results show that P. helveticus has indeed increased significantly over the past decade. The species colonizes the bottom of flow channels in the Seerhein up to 6 m deep with up to 1000 shoots per square meter and a length of up to 5 m, whereas in the previous decades it only occurred at the edges of flow channels as small stands with shoot lengths of less than 1 m. In the shallow water zones outside the flow channels, stoneworts in particular have spread in the Seerhein over the past decade. The hydrodynamic modeling supports the hypothesis that aquatic plants are the cause of the changed lake water level conditions and illustrate the related changes in the flow velocity field.     

山西洪洞井水位对远场大震的响应特征分析

对洪洞井水位自2013年数字化改造以来记录到的同震响应资料进行统计分析后认为:洪洞井水位对全球MS≥7.5的远场大震有较好的响应能力,其同震响应呈一定的方向性;对不同地震的响应形态具有固定模式,以水震波为主,部分水震波伴随阶变;水位振荡阶变的初始方向以上升为主。统计分析显示,井水位同震变化幅度与震级、井震距无明显相关性,水位响应时刻与井震距有一定关系。进一步核实表明:引起水位同震响应的地震波大多为S波,部分为P波、面波;S波引起的水位变化幅度要小于P波,而面波引发的水位变化幅度最大。综合分析了前人对水位振荡的机理研究,并结合洪洞井具体情况对其相关机理进行了初步探讨。     

The use of GIS and remote sensing for the assessment of waterlogging in the dryland irrigated catchments of Farafra Oasis,Egypt

This paper investigates the interplay of the hydrogeological characteristics, soil properties and recent land reclamation projects on the distribution of waterlogging and salinization within the Farafra Oasis. The multi‐temporal remote sensing data and field observations show that new reclaimed areas have been recently cultivated in distant areas from the old agricultural land. These new cultivations have developed widespread waterlogging, seepage channels and soil salinization. Analyses of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission digital elevation model (DEM) showed that both old and new agricultural areas are located within same closed drainage basin. The fluvial channels of these catchments, which were developed during wet climatic pluvial, have largely been obliterated by the prevailing aridity and often buried under aeolian deposits. However, the new cultivations have been developed on the fingertips of these fluvial channels, while the old fields occupy the low‐level playas. The soil of the new cultivated areas is mainly lithic with a high calcium carbonate content, thus limiting the downward percolation of excess irrigation water and therefore developing perched water table and seepage through the palaeo‐channels. The automatically extracted drainage networks from DEM resemble fluvial patterns and coincide with the seepage channels slowly heading toward old cultivation. The inactive alluvial channels and landforms have to be considered when planning for new cultivation in dryland catchments to better control waterlogging and salinization hazard. It is highly recommended that newly developed seepage channels have to be detected and intercepted before reaching old agriculture areas. Therefore, the ‘dry‐drainage’ concept can be implemented as the seepage water can be conveyed into nearby playas reserved for evaporation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

汉江兴隆水利枢纽下游近坝河段枯水位下降及成因分析

汉江兴隆水利枢纽运行后,坝下游近坝段枯水位较建坝前下降明显,500~800 m³/s流量下,2021年较运行前坝下水位累计下降2.47~2.55 m,对工程安全及效益发挥带来不利影响。基于水文、断面、水下地形等观测资料,对枯水位下降的原因进行深入剖析。结果表明,兴隆水利枢纽的拦沙作用有限,皇庄以上沙量减少是兴隆以下河床冲刷加剧的重要原因,高水调平导致的年内枯水上滩几率下降和航道整治护滩工程是强冲刷过程中“滩淤槽冲”的核心因素。坝下游河段枯水河槽冲刷及汉口最低水位下降是造成兴隆近坝段枯水位下降的直接原因。随机森林算法分析显示,对兴隆坝下水位变化影响最大的因素为兴隆站输沙率的锐减。此外,航道整治工程、河床边界条件对枯水位下降也有十分重要的驱动作用。兴隆坝址及下游河段的河床组成偏细,2012-2022年虽然河床剧烈冲刷,但床沙组成没有出现粗化的现象,预计河床仍将继续冲刷下切,枯水位尚未达到稳定状态。     

Hydrological runoff modelling by the use of remote sensing data with reference to the 1993–1994 and 1995 floods in the river Rhine catchment

In hydrological modelling of runoff processes, including water balance, various input data and parameters can be acquired or estimated by the use of remote sensing (RS) techniques.The acquisition and use of synoptic RS areal information rather than traditional point information is an important issue in hydrology. Hydrological models allow runoff/water balance in catchments to be calculated and flow routing within flow channels to be done. For runoff and water balance computations land use, soil moisture, detection of snow and ice, digital terrain models (DTM), as well as hydrometeorological information and discharge are important. For flow routing, water level information, geometric–topographic information such as cross-sections for normal and flood conditions, coefficient of roughness and velocity of flow and its cross-sectional distribution are required. In addition, water level information (lower and upper level) is needed for shipping and for design purposes. In the German part of the River Rhine catchment, several focus areas in the December 1993–January 1994 and January 1995 floods were covered with RS data [ERS-1 and airborne SAR, both C-band VV, passive microwave (18·7, 36·5, 89 GHz), TIR, UV, aerial photographs (b/w PAN, b/w NIR)], giving a good opportunity for a comparison of methods. Evaluation is still continuing. The importance of soil saturation for flood generation and, therefore, for flood monitoring, was shown on this occasion. The use of ERS SAR data for soil moisture estimation is currently being investigated by the Federal Institute of Hydrology. Also, the need for emergency schemes for data acquisition and easy, quick and affordable RS data dissemination was demonstrated. The assimilation of RS data with GIS information such as DTMs, including relevant topographic features like dams, which is omitted in currently available raster digital elevation models, is promising. RS altimetry techniques can be a step towards high resolution DTMs for hydrological purposes. Ground truth reference data are still needed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

利用背景噪声研究紫坪铺水库水位加卸载对库区地下介质波速的影响

基于2005年1月1日~2008年1月1日紫坪铺台网及YZP台连续波形资料,利用噪声互相关技术研究了紫坪铺水库区域在蓄水、泄水过程中库区介质的变化特征,同时对可能的渗透过程进行了讨论。使用移动窗口互谱方法计算了库区台站对之间的相对波速变化。结果表明,在紫坪铺水库的3次大规模蓄水及2次泄水过程中,地下介质相对波速变化与水位变化之间存在较为明显的相关性,且在时间上有一定延迟,其可能与水的渗透有关。分析认为蓄水对浅层介质产生的作用最快,影响最大,波速的变化是蓄水产生的压力及渗透共同作用的结果。在第1次蓄水时,压力起主要作用,后2次蓄水时,渗透起主要作用,且渗透作用已影响至深达8km左右的断层。     

The behaviour of the mean energetic level in time and space: Persistence,autocorrelations, links to standard levels

Summary The variances, persistence, and spatial autocorrelations of the basic quantities at the mean energetic level (MEL) as well as the links between the MEL and standard isobaric levels are investigated. The statistics obtained for the MEL are compared with those for height and temperature at the 500 and 300 hPa levels. The behaviour of most quantities at the MEL does not show any peculiarity making it substantially different from isobaric levels. The only quantity at the MEL, not closely correlated with any variable at adjacent standard levels, appeared to be the pressure.