Statistics – Applications
Scientific paper
Jan 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002esasp.475..165w&link_type=abstract
In: Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Retrieval of Bio- and Geophysical Parameters from SAR Data for Land Appl
Statistics
Applications
Soils, Hydrology
Scientific paper
We propose that in the restricted circumstances of an arid playa it should be possible to infer the rates of evaporation of groundwater using radar backscatter measurements. To test this we use an empirically derived relationship between backscatter and surface roughness and a model of how surface roughness changes with a continuous process of halite crystal efflorescence. From these we calculate the volume of groundwater that must have evaporated to produce that roughening effect. The method is illustrated with data from the ERS-1 SAR sensor that imaged the Chott el Djerid playa in southern Tunisia during 1992-93. The playa surface is flat and lacks vegetation. The backscatter generally rises over the playa during the summer months and is reduced abruptly by the onset of winter rains as the halite crust formed by evaporation dissolves. The method appears to be valid for the summer months (March-October) on this playa. Independent meteorological station measurements of pan evaporation give evaporation rates lower than the radar-derived rates by factors of 2-3. Shallow-level recycling of sodium and chloride ions during dissolution of the halite crusts by winter rains may account for this disparity.
Archer Jr. D.
Wadge Geoff
No associations
LandOfFree
Remote measurement of the evaporation of groundwater from arid playas does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Remote measurement of the evaporation of groundwater from arid playas, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Remote measurement of the evaporation of groundwater from arid playas will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1089454