Utilization of Thermal Emittance Data to Monitor Soil Moisture and Subsurface Groundwater

摘要

Experimental and theoretical investigations were carried out relating to the detection and mapping of soil moisture and subsurface groundwater by the use of remote sensed thermal emittance data (thermography). Calculations performed employing a previously developed finite difference model showed a quadratic relationship between temperature difference between two soil plots and their corresponding soil moisture difference. The relationship between the surface soil heat flux and calculated maximum diurnal temperature difference was found to be linear. Modifications of the model were also made to simulate light penetration through the plant canopy. Experimental investigations consisted of measurements on both small controlled plots and over large land areas. Statistical analysis of small plot data showed a significant correlation between soil moisture differences between irrigated and nonirrigated plots and apparent surface temperature differences.