Estimation of snow density using full-polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data

In this paper, a new snow density estimation methodology is proposed for full-polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data. The generalized four component polarimetric decomposition with unitary transformation (G4U) based generalized volume parameter is utilized to invert snowpack dielectric constant using the Fresnel transmission coefficients. The snow density is then estimated using an empirical relationship. Six Radarsat-2 fine resolution full-polarimetric C-band datasets were acquired over Himachal Pradesh, India. The near-real time in-situ measurements were collected with the satellite pass to validate the proposed method. The mean absolute error (MAE) of the proposed method is 0.027 g cm⁻³ and the root mean square error (RMSE) is 0.032 g cm⁻³. The snow density variation within a season were also analyzed using multi-temporal Radarsat-2 data.     

Propagation of electromagnetic waves from an induction source in media with time-dependent conductivity and permittivity

Electromagnetic wave propagation from an induction source (a transmitter coil) in media with time-dependent conductivity and permittivity is simulated using the vector finite-element method. A special algorithm is suggested for source approximation.     

Modeling of electromagnetic waves in axisymmetric geometry using a Laguerre spectral method

A spectral method for modeling high-frequency electromagnetic waves in axisymmetric geometry is proposed.The method is based on the expansion of the solutions of Maxwell’s equations in Laguerre functions in the time region.The spectral method is used to solve Maxwell’s equations for both 2D media and stratified media. In the case of stratified media, a Fourier–Bessel expansion in the radial variable is used. The effectiveness of the spectral and finite-difference methods is compared. Harmonic solutions and solitary solutions by the Laguerre method are considered, and the dynamics of monochromatic and broadband electromagnetic pulses are examined.     

High-resolution well-log derived dielectric properties of gas-hydrate-bearing sediments, Mount Elbert Gas Hydrate Stratigraphic Test Well, Alaska North Slope

A dielectric logging tool, electromagnetic propagation tool (EPT), was deployed in 2007 in the BPXA-DOE-USGS Mount Elbert Gas Hydrate Stratigraphic Test Well (Mount Elbert Well), North Slope, Alaska. The measured dielectric properties in the Mount Elbert well, combined with density log measurements, result in a vertical high-resolution (cm-scale) estimate of gas hydrate saturation. Two hydrate-bearing sand reservoirs about 20 m thick were identified using the EPT log and exhibited gas-hydrate saturation estimates ranging from 45% to 85%. In hydrate-bearing zones where variation of hole size and oil-based mud invasion are minimal, EPT-based gas hydrate saturation estimates on average agree well with lower vertical resolution estimates from the nuclear magnetic resonance logs; however, saturation and porosity estimates based on EPT logs are not reliable in intervals with substantial variations in borehole diameter and oil-based invasion.EPT log interpretation reveals many thin-bedded layers at various depths, both above and below the thick continuous hydrate occurrences, which range from 30-cm to about 1-m thick. Such thin layers are not indicated in other well logs, or from the visual observation of core, with the exception of the image log recorded by the oil-base microimager. We also observe that EPT dielectric measurements can be used to accurately detect fine-scale changes in lithology and pore fluid properties of hydrate-bearing sediments where variation of hole size is minimal. EPT measurements may thus provide high-resolution in-situ hydrate saturation estimates for comparison and calibration with laboratory analysis.     

Identifying causes of ground-penetrating radar reflections using time-domain reflectometry and sedimentological analyses

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a geophysical technique widely used to study the shallow subsurface and identify various sediment features that reflect electromagnetic waves. However, little is known about the exact cause of GPR reflections because few studies have coupled wave theory to petrophysical data. In this study, a 100- and 200-MHz GPR survey was conducted on aeolian deposits in a quarry. Time-domain reflectometry (TDR) was used to obtain detailed information on the product of relative permittivity (ɛ_r) and relative magnetic permeability (μ_r), which mainly controls the GPR contrast parameter in the subsurface. Combining TDR data and lacquer peels from the quarry wall allowed the identification of various relationships between sediment characteristics and ɛ_rμ_r. Synthetic radar traces, constructed using the TDR logs and sedimentological data from the lacquer peels, were compared with the actual GPR sections. Numerous peaks in ɛ_rμ_r, which are superimposed on a baseline value of 4 for dry sand, are caused by potential GPR reflectors. These increases in ɛ_rμ_r coincide with the presence of either organic material, having a higher water content and relative permittivity than the surrounding sediment, or iron oxide bands, enhancing relative magnetic permeability and causing water to stagnate on top of them. Sedimentary structures, as reflected in textural change, only result in possible GPR reflections when the volumetric water content exceeds 0·055. The synthetic radar traces provide an improved insight into the behaviour of radar waves and show that GPR results may be ambiguous because of multiples and interference.     

黑河流域临泽盐碱化草地网格尺度多层土壤水分时空稳定性分析

定量分析半干旱环境下盐碱化草地类型土壤水分的时间稳定性,是开展土壤水分尺度时空转换的前提,同时也是水文研究的重要组成部分。基于"黑河遥感—地面同步试验"干旱水文试验区临泽草地加密观测区16个土壤水分剖面的逐日持续观测数据,利用平均相对偏差及相关系数方法,对网格尺度上多层土壤水分的时间稳定性进行了分析。初步表明:①在土壤水分监测点布设上,在相对长的时期内,能代表网络水平上平均土壤水分最优观测的点是存在的,最优观测点位置的选择需要先密后稀,并根据事先的加密观测结果进行稳定性分析,保留平均相对偏差接近于0且其标准差最小的点开展长期观测。②在90 m×90 m的网格尺度上,土壤水分的空间结构在40 cm深度以上各层的时间稳定性是类似的,但稳定程度不同,表层最不稳定。在40 cm以下基本上趋于稳定,空间异质性降低。③研究区所在环境下网格尺度土壤水分空间分布在时间上强烈相关,观测刚开始的几天与其它时期的相关性比较低,在平稳期相关性较好,不稳定性主要由降水或灌溉事件引起。同时,由于环境的复杂性及观测的误差,这种特殊类型土壤水分的时间稳定特征还需要进一步研究。     

Measurement of near surface soil water content using a capacitance probe

The portable surface capacitance insertion probe was used to measure the in situ water content of near surface soil layers. The probe readings were calibrated against gravimetric samples collected over a wide range of water contents, and were found to be very closely correlated. The capacitance probe was used repeatedly in time and space at a field site where ridges and furrows ensured a regular pattern of soil water variations. The observed spatial variations of the water content were related to topography and land mangement. The degree of variability was dependent on the average water content.     

Bentheimer sandstone revisited for experimental purposes

Bentheimer sandstone outcrop samples are ideal for laboratory studies due to their lateral continuity and block scale homogeneous nature. Over the years they have been used to investigate reservoir topics ranging from passive and active properties of oil/gas/water/rock interaction and processes to flow and transport.This work shows an evaluation of Bentheimer sandstone properties and their characteristics to advance understanding on the mineral accessory and the physical and electrical transport properties. On the basis of the nature of depositional environments and diagenesis, we measure and characterize spatial attributes of the matrix, mainly by qualitative analysis, laboratory and stereological measurements and statistical 2D/3D reconstructions. The main contribution of this paper is the impact of mineral composition on the petrophysical quality and block scale homogeneity of the reservoir. With 3D techniques reconstructions of the new rock grain framework pore structures have been created.Based on measurements, a review of literature data and interpretation of variation between the outcrops and flow relevant parameters, we conclude that Bentheimer sandstone is a rock that shows constant mineralogy and is largely free of paramagnetic impurities. In accordance with the results of 3D reconstructions techniques and in line with the depositional settings, they show a well sorted grain framework and a pore network that can be used to calculate the permeability and resistivity without conducting any direct laboratory measurements of either parameter. It presents a porosity with a range of 0.21–0.27 and permeabilities varying between 0.52 and 3.02 Darcy. Based on our work and literature, it is found that high permeability together with similar distribution of pore throats and bodies make the sandstone an attractive and easy obtainable candidate for comparative experimental studies. Moreover, we state by comparing various techniques that the efficiency and resolution accuracy of the applied method must be taken into consideration when planning the measurements.     

Ion migration in nepheline: a dielectric spectroscopy and computer modelling study

 Using a combination of dielectric spectroscopy and atomistic computer simulation techniques, the dynamical behaviour of the loosely bound (Na⁺ and K⁺) channel ions in nepheline has been investigated. The low-frequency dielectric properties of a natural Bancroft nepheline have been studied from room temperature to 1100 K. At each temperature, the dielectric constant, conductivity and dielectric loss were determined over a range of frequencies from 100 Hz to 10 MHz. At high temperatures a distinct Debye-type relaxation in the dielectric loss spectrum was observed; the activation energy for this process was determined to be 1.38 ± 0.02 eV. Atomistic simulation techniques were used to elucidate the mechanism and energetics of cation migration. A mechanism involving the hopping of Na⁺ ions between oval sites and partially occupied hexagonal (K⁺) sites, via a bottleneck consisting of a distorted sixfold ring of (Al,Si)O₄ tetrahedra, was found to give a calculated energy barrier in very good agreement with the experimentally determined activation energy. These results confirm the nature of the process responsible for the observed dielectric behaviour. Overall, this study demonstrates the intrinsic, microscopic control of cation diffusion processes in rock-forming minerals. Identifying specific energy barriers and preferred diffusion pathways is fundamental to the prediction of diffusion energetics. Received: 8 May 2000 / Accepted: 21 July 2000     

Permittivity in the microwave region of some natural minerals

The permittivity measured at a frequency of 10 GHz normalized to constant density is the same within the experimental error for talc, baryte and dolomite. In the case of clay and kaolin, it is about 10% higher. This is attributed to the high content of Al₂O₃ (30–40%) in them, which interpretation is proved by experiment.