Geology topics

J. L. Heilman

Publications and source records attributed to J. L. Heilman.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1983

Infrared remote sensing for monitoring rainfall

Evaluations of thermal infrared satellite data from TIROS-N and the Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM) showed that rainfall distribution patterns could be reliably detected on images acquired up to at least three days after the event. The temperature relationship decreased eight days after the event when soil variations influenced the signal. A time-series analysis reduced thermal variability normally observed over diverse landscapes and increased the sensitivity of the procedures. The method of repetitive low-resolution thermal observations could be operationally employed over large geographic regions with currently available satellite systems. The results would augment the existing rain gauge stations by increasing the spatial sensitivity and the reliability of detection and mapping individual rainfall events.

Agricultural Water Management↗

USGS1982

Evaluating the crop coefficient using spectral reflectance

A field study was conducted in four differentially irrigated plots of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) planted in Shiprock sandy loam (coarseloamy, mixed, mesic Typic Haplargid) to assess spectral reflectance for estimating the crop coefficient (Kc), defined here as the ratio of actual to potential evapotranspiration (ET). A bidirectional reflectance factor was measured using a three-channel (0.63 to 0.69 µm, 0.76 to 0.90 µm, and 1.55 to 1.75 µm) handheld radiometer, and was used to calculate a perpendicular vegetation index (PVI). Actual ET was determined by the water balance method in non-weighing lysimeters, and potential ET was calculated using Penman's equation. Significant linear relationships were found between PVI and percent cover (r 2 = 0.911), and between Kc and percent cover (r 2 = 0.815). In addition, the position of the PVl intersection on the soil background line changed as a result of soil moisture increases following irrigation, even at high percent cover. Thus, once experimental relationships between K c and crop growth are established, a mean K c can be determined from spectral estimates of stage of development and the soil background component of PVI can be used to adjust the mean K, for increased evaporation following irrigation because the ratio of actual to potential evapotranspiration will approach 1 when the soil surface is wet.

Agronomy Journal↗

USGS1982

Evaluating depth to shallow groundwater using Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM) data

Four dates of Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM) data were analyzed to evaluate the utility of HCMM thermal data for evaluating depth to shallow groundwater. During the summer, shallow water tables can create lower soil temperatures throughout the diurnal temperature cycle. Because of large spatial and temporal ground cover variations, HCMM daytime radiometric temperatures alone did not correlate with water table depth. The radiometric temperatures consisted of radiance contributions from different crop canopies and their respective soil backgrounds. However, when surface soil temperatures were empirically estimated from HCMM temperatures and percent cover of each pixel, significant correlations were obtained between estimated soil temperatures and water table depth. Correlations increased as the season progressed and temperature gradients within the soil profile increased. However, estimated soil temperatures were also correlated with near-surface soil moisture since during the daytime, increasing soil moisture reduced surface soil temperature. Complementary effects of shallow water tables and soil moisture on daytime temperatures cannot be separated.

Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing↗