Contribution to the application of near ground L-band radiometry

Premi HEMAV 2019 al millor TFG ARIEL is an L-band radiometer adapted from Earth Observation satellite technology for use in terrestrial, near to ground surveys of moisture. The key technical benefits are compact size, lightweight, mobility and high pixel density (up to 1m2). This project demonstrates the capability of high spatial and temporal resolution L-Band radiometry to produce detailed soil moisture contour maps within a 1 km2 area. The study was performed prior, during and after 12 mm of rainfall to determine the soil surface absorption and adsorption behaviour in relation to surface moisture. The radiometer was equipped with photodiodes to enable the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) data to be extracted concurrently. Hence this is a very near ground, high resolution and high precision study of soil moisture derived from L-band emissivity. The project is focused on the technology application and production of useful products in the form of moisture contour maps and vegetation detection. The radiometer functioned admirably during the consecutive test campaigns and in conditions that varied from direct sun to rain and mud. Patterns of soil moisture over time and within specific sub-areas of the field are identified and quantified. The intra-field differences appear to primarily be related to soil type and soil surface characteristics which were qualitatively assessed in this study as quantified approaches are available in empirical and theoretical studies. Average field moistures are measured daily and differentiation is made between soil types within the field. The effect of dry and moist surface emissivity on retrieved moisture is noted, as is the effect of vegetation on soil surface emissivity with the aid of the vegetation index. Comparisons are drawn to the highest resolution satellite imagery (30 m spatial, 3 day temporal) and highlight the limitations and richness of local data that is missed in relation to local soil moisture surface absorption patterns during rainfall. The radiometer is shown to achieve very high resolution and precision that is not possible from satellite or even light aircraft. Furthermore, it is shown to be able to study ground conditions when they are occluded from satellite and hence the moisture profile maps presented are unique in their detail. Award-winning