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Measurement of suspended solids in lakes and oceans using satellite remote sensing dataUsing satellite remote sensing data to measure low concentrations of suspended solids in lakes and oceans requires careful evaluation of background signals from the atmosphere and the water surface. Typical background corrections for Lake Superior are presented and the spectral distribution of the residual radiance from three major categories of turbidity in the lake are determined. The results indicate that for large bodies of water, some general information on atmospheric scattering, water clarity, and the optical properties of suspended solids allows estimates of concentrations of suspended solids to within + or - 0.5 mg/L without using real time ground truth data. Under calibrated conditions the threshold detection level is 0.3 mg/L for the fine particulates dispersed throughout the lake and 1 mg/L for the highly light absorbing effluent from rivers. Comparisons of the minimum reflectance over the open lake areas with reflection from the highly absorbing tannin water from rivers provides a check on the clarity of the atmosphere and the excessive background scatter from the water surface.
Document ID
19810003999
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Sydor, M.
(Minnesota Univ. Duluth, MN, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1980
Publication Information
Publication: Minnesota Univ. A Study of Minn. Land and Water Resources Using Remote Sensing, Vol. 13
Subject Category
Earth Resources And Remote Sensing
Accession Number
81N12510
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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