The application of remote sensing in geobotanical exploration for metal sulfidesA field study was conducted in Mineral, VA in 1980-82 to test the suitability of remote sensing techniques for geobotanical exploration. It was found that on trees growing over lead sulfide deposits, buds opened later and leaves were smaller than on trees growing on soils with background levels of lead and copper. This difference in leaf growth could be detected in remotely sensed data. In the spring, the smaller leaf size of metal-stressed trees resulted in a greater contribution from the soil and bark to the total reflectance imaged by the sensor. In the fall, the leaves of metal-stressed oaks sensed earlier than surrounding vegetation, which was also detected in remotely sensed data. It is concluded that vegetation growing on lead sulfide deposits has a shorter growing season than surrounding vegetation on unmineralized soil and that remotely sensed data collected at either end of the growing season can be used to locate geobotanical anomalies associated with these deposits.
Document ID
19840044993
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Masuoka, E. J. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Labovitz, M. L. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Bell, R. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Nelson, R. F. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Earth Survey Applications Div., Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Broderick, P. W. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Ludwig, R. W. (Maryland, University College Park, MD, United States)