Evaluation of different topographic correction methods for Landsat imagery

The recent free availability of Landsat historical data provides new potentials for land-cover change studies. Multi-temporal studies require a previous radiometric and geometric homogenization of input images, to better identify true changes. Topographic normalization is one of the key steps to create consistent and radiometricly stable multi-temporal time series, since terrain shadows change throughout time. This paper aims to evaluate different methods for topographic correction of Landsat TM-ETM+ data. They were assessed for 15 ETM+ images taken under different illumination conditions, using two criteria: (a) reduction of the standard deviation (SD) for different land-covers and (b) increase in temporal stability of a time series for individual pixels. We observed that results improve when land-cover classes where processed independently when applying the more advanced correction algorithms such as the C-correction and the Minnaert correction. Best results were obtaining for the C-correction and the empiric–statistic correction. Decreases of the SD for bare soil pixels were larger than 100% for the C-correction and the empiric–statistic correction method compared to the other correction methods in the visible spectrum and larger than 50% in the IR region. In almost all tests the empiric–statistic method provided better results than the C-correction. When analyzing the multi-temporal stability, pixels under bad illumination conditions (northern orientation) improved after correction, while a deterioration was observed for pixels under good illumination conditions (southern orientation). Taken this observation into account, a simple but robust method for topographic correction of Landsat imagery is proposed.     

Mapping impervious surfaces with the integrated use of Landsat Thematic Mapper and radar data: A case study in an urban–rural landscape in the Brazilian Amazon

This research explored the integrated use of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and radar (i.e., ALOS PALSAR L-band and RADARSAT-2 C-band) data for mapping impervious surface distribution to examine the roles of radar data with different spatial resolutions and wavelengths. The wavelet-merging technique was used to merge TM and radar data to generate a new dataset. A constrained least-squares solution was used to unmix TM multispectral data and multisensor fusion images to four fraction images (high-albedo, low-albedo, vegetation, and soil). The impervious surface image was then extracted from the high-albedo and low-albedo fraction images. QuickBird imagery was used to develop an impervious surface image for use as reference data to evaluate the results from TM and fusion images. This research indicated that increasing spatial resolution by multisensor fusion improved spatial patterns of impervious surface distribution, but cannot significantly improve the statistical area accuracy. This research also indicated that the fusion image with 10-m spatial resolution was suitable for mapping impervious surface spatial distribution, but TM multispectral image with 30 m was too coarse in a complex urban–rural landscape. On the other hand, this research showed that no significant difference in improving impervious surface mapping performance by using either PALSAR L-band or RADARSAT C-band data with the same spatial resolution when they were used for multi-sensor fusion with the wavelet-based method.     

Aeromagnetic and Landsat TM structural interpretation for identifying regional groundwater exploration targets, south-central Zimbabwe Craton

Aeromagnetic (AM) and Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data from the south-central Zimbabwe Craton have been processed for the purpose of regional structural mapping and thereby to develop strategic models for groundwater exploration in hard-rock areas. The lineament density is greater on TM than on AM images, partly due to the resolution of the different datasets, and also because not all TM lineaments have a magnetic signature. The derived maps reveal several previously undetected lineaments corresponding to dykes, faults, shear zones and/or tectonically-related joints, striking predominantly NNE, NNW and WNW. We suggest the possible hydrogeological significance of some of these patterns as follows: the aeromagnetic data can be used to map faults and fractures of considerable depth which are likely to be open groundwater conduits at depth (typically under tension), while TM lineaments, although not necessarily open (mostly under compression), represent recharge areas.The interpreted persistent lineation and well developed fracture patterns are correlated with existing boreholes and indicate a spatial relationship between regional structures and high borehole yields (> 3 m³/h). This relationship is combined with other lithological and hydrogeological information to identify potential regional groundwater sites for detailed ground investigations. These are defined as dyke margins, faults, fractures/joints or intersections of any combination of these structures. Priority should be given to coincident AM/TM lineaments (e.g., NNW and NNE fractures) and continuous structures with large catchment areas (e.g., NNE and WNW faults). The late Archaean (2.6 Ga) granites are considered the most favourable unit because of their associated long and deep brittle fractures between numerous bornhardts (inselbergs) and kopjes. Several small-scale TM lineaments also form important local sources of groundwater for hand-dug wells. Based on measured rock susceptibilities from the area, we present a model of the typical magnetic responses from the possible groundwater exploration targets. The developed magnetic model could be applicable to similar terrains in other Archaean Cratons.     

杭州城市生活质量的定量评价

以乡镇、街道为基本空间统计单元,选取人口密度、住宅基准地价、大专以上学历人口比重为社会经济指标,建设用地比重、NDVI、地表温度为生物物理指标,采用主成分分析和GIS叠加法,定量评价了杭州城市生活质量的空间分布状况。结果表明：NDVI和地表温度 (相关系数r = -0.63)、城镇用地比重 (相关系数r = -0.83) 呈明显的负相关,地表温度和城镇建设用地是影响杭州“绿色环境”两个的最重要因素。NDVI和住宅基准地价 (r = -0.66)、大学毕业生比例 (相关系数r = -0.59)、人口密度 (相关系数r = -0.29) 也呈较明显的负相关,“绿色环境”并未成为高学历人群和高收入家庭的主要决定因素,较繁华或较便利地段仍是高学历人群和高收入家庭选择居住环境的首要选择。高生活质量值 (前20%) 区域主要位于分布于城市中心区,即杭州上城区、下城区及西湖区的部分单元,而郊区的生活质量相对较低。     

Hydrocarbon Alteration Characteristics of Soils and Mechanism for Detection by Remote Sensing in East Sichuan Area,China

The type, strength, and spatial distributions of hydrocarbon alteration of the surface soil are studied in two sections in East Sichuan area through the simultaneous analysis of soil organic geochemistry, soil mineralogy, and soil chemistry. The spectral response and remote-sensing mechanism are studied through the soil spectral analysis in the range of VIS--NIR bands. The results of this study demonstrate that long-time hydrocarbon microseepage can induce mineral and chemical alteration of surface soil, including the increase of clay-mineral content and carbonate-mineral content, the increase of ferrous-iron content, and decrease of ferric-iron content. Soil mineral components related to hydrocarbon alteration have spatial coincidence with soil organic geochemical components. Increase of clay- and carbonate-mineral contents in the soil can cause decrease of reflectance in VIS–NIR bands and increase of Landsat band ratio TM5/TM7. Increase of ferrous-iron content and decrease of ferric-iron content in the soil may cause increase of reflectance in the range of 400 nm to 600 nm, and higher reflectance of Landsat band ratios of TM1/TM3 and TM2/TM3.     

Landsat 8全色影像阴影的扁平冰山出水高度提取

冰山出水高度是测量冰山厚度进而估算冰山体积的一个重要几何参数,是定量评估冰山对海洋的淡水输入量的基础。冬季冰山在海冰上成影且阴影较长,本文提出利用阴影测高模型高精度测量冰山出水高度的方法。试验选择2016年8月29日、9月7日和9月16日中心太阳高度角分别为5.43°、7.49°和11.01°的3期Landsat 8全色15 m影像,以独立扁平冰山为例,自动提取冰山在海冰上的阴影长度计算冰山出水高度,并利用不同时相同名成影点进行交叉验证评估测量精度。结果显示：阴影长度测量误差优于1个像元,在太阳高度角低于11.01°时,全色15 m影像提取的冰山出水高度均方根误差（RMSE）低于2.0 m,平均绝对误差（MAE）低于1.5 m。由此表明：在冬季低太阳高度角下,Landsat 8全色15 m影像可用于高精度测量冰山出水高度,具有大范围测量南极冰山出水高度的潜力。     

2008—2018年中国冰川变化分析

调查冰川资源的分布与变化,对区域乃至全球的自然环境与经济社会发展都具有十分重要的意义.基于315景Landsat 8 OLI遥感影像,结合中国第二次冰川编目数据与Google Earth软件,通过人工目视解译等方法调查了2018年中国冰川的分布与变化.结果表明:中国现存冰川53238条,总面积为(47174.21±19...     

A Comparative Study of Landsat‐7 and Landsat‐8 Data Using Image Processing Methods for Hydrothermal Alteration Mapping

Comparing spaceborne satellite images of Landsat‐8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Landsat‐7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus (ETM+) was undertaken to investigate the relative accuracy of mapping hydrothermal alteration minerals. The study investigated the northern part of Rabor, which contains copper mineralization occurrences, and is located in the Kerman Cenozoic magmatic assemblage (KCMA), Iran. Image processing methods of band ratio, principal component analysis (PCA), and spectral angle mapper (SAM) were used to map the distribution of hydrothermally altered rocks associated with the porphyry copper mineralization. The band ratio combination of both sensors for mapping altered areas showed similar outcomes. PCA exposed variations in the spatial distribution of hydroxyl‐bearing minerals. The representation of hydrothermal areas using OLI data was more satisfactory than when using ETM+ data. SAM analysis found similar results for mapping hydroxyl‐bearing zones. Verification of the results came through ground investigation and laboratory studies. Rock samples (n = 56) were collected to validate results using thin sections, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and spectral analyses. Field observations and laboratory analysis revealed that phyllic and propylitic alterations dominate the alteration zones in the study area. Argillic and iron oxides/hydroxides alterations were observed to a lesser degree. The results indicate that alteration maps prepared by OLI data using PCA for visual interpretation are more suitable than those of ETM+ due to a higher radiometric resolution and lower interference between vegetation and altered areas. As the spectral bandwidth of ETM+ band 7 covers absorption feature of propylitic alteration, better mapping of propylitic alterations is achieved using ETM+ data.     

基于SEBS模型和Landsat 8数据的黑河下游蒸散发时空特性分析

对黑河下游地区蒸散发量的估算及其时空特性的研究,有助于进一步了解流域水循环,合理利用水资源,防止生态环境进一步恶化。利用SEBS模型估算了黑河下游额济纳绿洲2014年15天的日蒸散量,将SEBS估算的日蒸散与不同下垫面5个站点的EC实测值进行对比,其均方根误差和确定性系数分别为1.2 mm、0.85（5个站点）,0.5 mm、0.96（2个站点）,表明SEBS模型的结果是合理的,可以适用于黑河下游额济纳绿洲地区的地表蒸散量的估算。同时分析了黑河下游蒸散发的时空变化规律,结果表明,黑河下游额济纳绿洲地区,蒸散发在时间上存在明显的季节变化规律：夏季 > 春季 > 秋季 > 冬季;空间上呈现明显的沿河分布的趋势。不同土地覆被类型蒸散发有相似的季节变化特征,但其季节变化幅度并不相同,规律为：水体 > 耕地 > 灌丛地 > 草地 > 裸土地 > 沙地。     

Integration of ASTER and landsat TM remote sensing data for chromite prospecting and lithological mapping in Neyriz ophiolite zone,south Iran

Chromite deposits in Iran are located in the ophiolite complexes, which have mostly podiform types and irregular in their settings. Exploration for podiform chromite deposits associated with ophiolite complexes has been a challenge for the prospectors due to tectonic disturbance and their distribution patterns. Most of Iranian ophiolitic zones are located in mountainous and inaccessible regions. Remote sensing approach could be applicable tool for choromite prospecting in Iranian ophiolitic zones with intensely rugged topography, where systematic sampling and conventional geological mapping are limited. In this study, Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) satellite data were used for chromite prospecting and lithological mapping in the Neyriz ophiolitic zone in the south of Iran. Image transformation techniques, namely decorrelation stretch, band ratio and principal component analysis (PCA) were applied to Landsat TM and ASTER data sets for lithological mapping at regional scale. The RGB decorrelated image of Landsat TM spectral bands 7, 5, and 4, and the principal components PC1, PC2 and PC3 image of ASTER SWIR spectral bands efficiently showed the occurrence of major lithological units in the study area at regional scale. The band ratios of 5/3, 5/1, 7/5 applied on ASTER VNIR‐SWIR bands were very useful for discriminating most of rock units in the study area and delineation of the transition zone and mantle harzburgite in the Neyriz ophiolitic complex. Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) technique was implemented to ASTER VNIR‐SWIR spectral bands for detecting minerals of rock units and especially delineation of the transition zone and mantle harzburgite as potential zones with high chromite mineralization in the Neyriz ophiolitic complex. The integration of information extracted from the image processing algorithms used in this study mapped most of lithological units of the Neyriz ophiolitic complex and identified potential areas of high chromite mineralization (transition zone and mantle harzburgite) for chromite prospecting targets in the future. Furthermore, image processing results were verified by comprehensive fieldwork and laboratory analysis in the study area. Accordingly, result of this investigation indicate that the integration of information extracted from the image processing algorithms using Landsat TM and ASTER data sets could be broadly applicable tool for chromite prospecting and lithological mapping in mountainous and inaccessible regions such Iranian ophiolitic zones.