Application of ASTER Data for Differentiating Carbonate Minerals and Evaluating MgO Content of Magnesite in the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt, North China Craton

Numerous reports have successfully detected or differentiated carbonate minerals such as calcite and dolomite by using the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER). However, there is a need to determine whether existing methods can differentiate magnesite from other carbonate minerals. This study proposes optimal band ratio combinations and new thresholds to distinguish magnesite, dolomite, and calcite using ASTER shortwave-infrared (SWIR) data. These were determined based on the spectral and chemical analysis of rock samples collected from Liaoning, China and Danchon, North Korea and the reflectance values from ASTER images. The results demonstrated that the simultaneous use of thresholds 2.13 and 2.015 for relative absorption band depths (RBDs) of (6 + 8)/7 and (7 + 9)/8, respectively, was the most effective for magnesite differentiation. The use of RBDs and band ratios to discriminate between dolomite and calcite was sufficiently effective. However, talc, tremolite, clay, and their mixtures with dolomite and calcite, which are commonly found in the study area, hampered the classification. The assessment of the ASTER band ratios for magnesite grade according to magnesium oxide content indicated that a band ratio of 5/6 was the most effective for this purpose. Therefore, this study proved that ASTER SWIR data can be effectively utilized for the identification and grade assessment of magnesite on a regional scale.

Decadal Measurements of the First Geostationary Ocean Color Satellite (GOCI) Compared with MODIS and VIIRS Data

The first geostationary ocean color data from the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) onboard the Communication, Ocean, and Meteorological Satellite (COMS) have been accumulating for more than ten years from 2010. This study performs a multi-year quality assessment of GOCI chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and radiometric data for 2012–2021 with an advanced atmospheric correction technique and a regionally specialized Chl-a algorithm. We examine the consistency and stability of GOCI, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) level 2 products in terms of annual and seasonal climatology, two-dimensional frequency distribution, and multi-year time series. Overall, the GOCI agrees well with MODIS and VIIRS on annual and seasonal variability in Chl-a, as the central biological pattern of the most transparent waters over the western North Pacific, productive waters over the East Sea, and turbid waters over the Yellow Sea are reasonably represented. Overall, an excellent agreement is remarkable for western North Pacific oligotrophic waters (with a correlation higher than 0.91 for Chl-a and 0.96 for band-ratio). However, the sporadic springtime overestimation of MODIS Chl-a values compared with others is notable over the Yellow Sea and East Sea due to the underestimation of MODIS blue-green band ratios for moderate-high aerosol optical depth. The persistent underestimation of VIIRS Chl-a values compared with GOCI and MODIS occurs due to inherent sensor calibration differences. In addition, the artificially increasing trends in GOCI Chl-a (+0.48 mg m−3 per 9 years) arise by the decreasing trends in the band ratios. However, decreasing Chl-a trends in MODIS and VIIRS (−0.09 and −0.08 mg m−3, respectively) are reasonable in response to increasing sea surface temperature. The results indicate GOCI sensor degradation in the late mission period. The long-term application of the GOCI data should be done with a caveat, however; planned adjustments to GOCI calibration (2022) in the following GOCI-II satellite will essentially eliminate the bias in Chl-a trends.

Polypropylene Contamination in Post-Consumer Polyolefin Waste: Characterisation, Consequences and Compatibilisation

Plastic recycling strikes a balance between functional, mass producible products and environmental sustainability and is pegged by governments for rapid expansion. However, ambitious targets on recycled material adoption across new markets are at odds with the often heterogenous properties of contaminated regranulates. This study investigated polypropylene (PP) contamination in post-consumer low-density polyethylene (PE-LD) and mixed polyolefin (PO) regranulates. Calibration curves were constructed and PP content, its effect on mechanical properties and property recovery in compatibilised material assessed. FT-IR band ratios provided more reliable estimations of PP content than DSC melt enthalpy, which suffered considerable error for PP copolymers. PE-LD regranulates contained up to 7 wt.% PP contamination and were considerably more brittle than virgin PE-LD. Most mixed PO regranulates contained 45–95 wt.% PP and grew more brittle with increasing PP content. Compatibilisation with 5 wt.% ethylene-based olefin block copolymer resulted in PE-LD blends resembling virgin PE-LD and considerable improvements in the properties of mixed PO blends. These results illustrate the prevalence of PP in recycled PE, challenges associated with its quantification, effect on mechanical properties, and compatibilisation viability, thereby representing an important step towards higher quality regranulates to meet the recycling demands of tomorrow.

The properties of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in galaxies: constraints on PAH sizes, charge and radiation fields

Based on theoretical spectra computed using Density Functional Theory we study the properties of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH). In particular using bin-average spectra of PAH molecules with varying number of carbons we investigate how the intensity of the mid-infrared emission bands, 3.3, 6.2, 7.7 and 11.3 μm, respond to changes in the number of carbons, charge of the molecule, and the hardness of the radiation field that impinges the molecule. We confirm that the 6.2/7.7 band ratio is a good predictor for the size of the PAH molecule (based on the number of carbons present). We also investigate the efficacy of the 11.3/3.3 ratio to trace the size of PAH molecules and note the dependence of this ratio on the hardness of the radiation field. While the ratio can potentially also be used to trace PAH molecular size, a better understanding of the impact of the underlying radiation field on the 3.3 μm feature and the effect of the extinction on the ratio should be evaluated. The newly developed diagnostics are compared to band ratios measured in a variety of galaxies observed with the Infrared Spectrograph on board the Spitzer Space Telescope. We demonstrate that the band ratios can be used to probe the conditions of the interstellar medium in galaxies and differentiate between environments encountered in normal star forming galaxies and Active Galactic Nuclei. Our work highlights the immense potential that PAH observations with the James Webb Space Telescope will have on our understanding of the PAH emission itself and of the physical conditions in galaxies near and far.

Mapping and characterisation of the Oxia Planum clay-bearing unit using CaSSIS imagery

<p>Current knowledge of the clay unit at Oxia Planum, the Rosalind Franklin rovers landing site, is based in large part on spectroscopy data from the OMEGA and CRISM instruments. While these instruments have proved useful for creating a broad map of this unit, along with identifying candidates for the clay making up the unit, their usefulness is limited by their spatial resolution. Mapping at Oxia has primarily been carried out using 1200-300m/pixel OMEGA or 200-100m/pixel CRISM data and, even accounting for the intermittent 18m/pixel CRISM hyperspectral data available, existing clay maps are insufficient for the purposes of rover traverse planning.</p><p>Images from the Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System<sup>1</sup> (CaSSIS), which has a resolution of 4m/pixel, can improve upon this. Work done by members of the CaSSIS science team identified certain CaSSIS band ratios which can aid in identifying the presence of ferric/ferrous minerals<sup>2</sup>. In a more recent study CRISM, HiRISE colour and CaSSIS data were used to identify that at least two spectrally and morphologically distinct subunits make up the Oxia clay unit<sup>3</sup>. These sub units are divided into a lower and upper member. The lower member appears orange in CaSSIS/HiRISE VNIR images, shows extensive metre-scale fracturing and possesses CRISM spectral signatures consistent with the presence of a Fe/Mg-rich clay mineral. The upper member, blue in CaSSIS/HiRISE VNIR images, shows metre-decametre scale fracturing along with CRISM spectral signatures consistent with a mix of a Fe/Mg-rich clay mineral and olivine.</p><p>This work demonstrates that ferric detections within CaSSIS band ratios correlate well with CRISM, and that the lower clay member appears to have a higher ferric content than the upper member. Given this a new, higher resolution clay map is being created using CaSSIS band ratios in conjunction with HiRISE greyscale imagery to observe fracture size. This map, currently being constructed over the 1-sigma landing ellipses, delineates between the two subunits well in addition to revealing those areas where the two subunits are too intermixed to reliably differentiate at CaSSIS’s resolution. Given that CaSSIS has higher resolution in comparison to the CRISM/OMEGA instruments, that it can differentiate between the clay sub-units, and that it provides higher landing site coverage compared to CRISM hyperspectral data, means this map will provide a significant improvement over what is currently available for the sites clay unit.</p><p><em>References;</em> 1; Thomas N. et al. (2017). "The Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) for the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter." Space Science Reviews 212(3-4): 1897-1944. 2; Tornabene L. L. et al. (2017). "Image Simulation and Assessment of the Colour and Spatial Capabilities of the Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) on the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter." Space Science Reviews 214(1). 3; Mandon L. et al. (in review). "Spectral Diversity and Stratigraphy of the Clay-Bearing Unit at the Exomars 2020 Landing Site Oxia Planum." Astrobiology</p><p><em>Acknowledgement;</em> CaSSIS is a project of the University of Bern, with instrument hardware development supported by INAF/Astronomical Observatory of Padova (ASI-INAF agreement n.2020-17-HH.0), and the Space Research Center (CBK) in Warsaw.</p>

UAV-based cm-scale mapping of biofilms and Chl-a patterns in glacial forefields using visible band ratios

<p>Biofilms have received great attention in the last few decades including their potential contribution to carbon fluxes and ecosystem engineering in aquatic ecosystems. Quantifying the spatial distribution of biofilms and their dynamics through time is a critical challenge. Satellite imagery is one solution, and can provide multi- and hyper-spectral data but not necessarily the spatial resolution that such studies need. Multi- and hyper-spectral data sets may be of particular value for not simply detecting the presense/absence of biofilms but also indicators of primary productivity such as chlorophyll-a concentrations. Spatial resolution is sensor quality dependent, but also controlled by sensor elevation above the ground. Hence, higher resolutions can be achieved either by using a very expensive sensor or by decreasing the distance between the target area and the sensor itself. To date, sensor technology has advanced to a point where multi- or even hyper-spectral cameras can be easily transported by UAVs, potentially yielding wide-range spectral information at unprecedented spatial resolutions. That said, such set ups have often exorbitant costs (several 1000s of US$) that few research institutions can afford or, due to the high probability of sensor lost, are risky to use. This is particularly true for glacier forefields where low air temperatures, dust and sudden wind gusts can easily damage both UAV and sensor components.</p><p>In this paper we test the performance of visible band ratios for mapping both biofilms and chlorophyll-a concentrations in an alpine glacier forefield characterized by a well-developed and heterogeneous (kryal, krenal and rhithral) stream system. The paper shows that low-cost and consumer grade UAVs can be easily deployed in such extreme environments, delivering high temporal resolution datasets and with sufficient quality RGB images for photogrammetric (SfM-MVS) processing and post-processing image analysis (i.e., band ratios). This paper shows also that visible band ratios correlates with chlorophyll-a concentrations yielding reliable chlorophyll-a information of the forefield and at the centimetric scale. This in turn allows for precise identification of the environmental conditions that lead to both biofilm development and removal through perturbation.</p>

Identifikasi Potensi Mineral Tambang di Daerah Tanggamus Menggunakan Citra Landsat 8

Kabupaten Tanggamus mempunyai topografi tempat yang variatif, hal ini dikarenakan adanya variasi antara dataran rendah dan tinggi, hal ini normal dikarenakan Tanggamus sendiri adalah wilayah yang sebagian besar wilayah perbukitan dan pegunungan. Potensi SDA milik Kabupaten Tanggamus rata-rata dipakai guna aktivitas bertani dan bercocok tanam. Namun sebenarnya masih ada beberapa SDA lainnya yang berpotensi bila dikembangkan antara lain; pertambangan mineral emas, galian tambang seperti marmer dan granit. Selain itu juga terdapat geyser dan geothermal yang memiliki kemungkinan untuk dapat berkembang jadi pembangkit energi listrik alternatif. Kegiatan eksplorasi tambang banyak dilakukan di lapangan. Dimana pada tahap pemetaan lapangan mempunyai beberapa kendala yaitu memerlukan tenaga, biaya, dan waktu yang banyak maka dari itu, diperlukan sebuah metode guna mempermudah eksplorasi tambang yakni dengan cara penginderaan jauh. Tujuan penelitian ini di antaranya ialah memetakan serta mengukur luasan dari potensi mineralisasi emas pada Kabupaten Tanggamus dengan cara diketahuinya zona alterasi hidrotermal menggunakan metode kelurusan (lineament) dan penisbahan salurn (band ratios) yang ada di lokasi penelitian. Hasil penelitian ini ialah untuk memperoleh potensi mineralisasi tambang yang tersebar di sekitar wilayah kabupaten Tanggamus.

Assessment of the Capability of Sentinel-2 Imagery for Iron-Bearing Minerals Mapping: A Case Study in the Cuprite Area, Nevada

With several bands covering iron-bearing mineral spectral features, Sentinel-2 has advantages for iron mapping. However, due to the inconsistent spatial resolution, the sensitivity of Sentinel-2 data to detect iron-bearing minerals may be decreased by excluding the 60 m bands and neglecting the 20 m vegetation red-edge bands. Hence, the capability of Sentinel-2 for iron-bearing minerals mapping were assessed by applying a multivariate (MV) method to pansharpen Sentinel-2 data. Firstly, the Sentinel-2 bands with spatial resolution 20 m and 60 m (except band 10) were pansharpened to 10 m. Then, extraction of iron-bearing minerals from the MV-fused image was explored in the Cuprite area, Nevada, USA. With the complete set of 12 bands with a fine spatial resolution, three band ratios (6/1, 6/8A and (6 + 7)/8A) of the fused image were proposed for the extraction of hematite + goethite, hematite + jarosite and the mixture of iron-bearing minerals, respectively. Additionally, band ratios of Sentinel-2 data for iron-bearing minerals in previous studies were modified with substitution of narrow near infrared band 8A for band 8. Results demonstrated that the capability for detection of iron-bearing minerals using Sentinel-2 data was improved by consideration of two extra bands and the unified fine spatial resolution.

Unveiling Spatial Variation in Salt Affected Soil of Gautam Buddha Nagar District Based on Remote Sensing Indicators

Salt accumulation within the soil is one of the subtle ecological issues around the world. An integrated of remote sensing with different statistical techniques has indicated accomplishment for creating soil quality forecasting models. The objective of this research was to unveil the degree and location of the salt affected soils as it has a severe effect on the agricultural crop yield of the Gautam Buddha Nagar (GBN) district. To assess spatial variation of the salt-affected soil a simulation model integrating satellite observation data, artificial neural network (ANN) and multiple linear regression (MLR) was used. The statistical correlation amongst ground-truth data and Landsat original bands and band ratios showed that all the bands and ratios showed a non-significant correlation with SAR. While four optical bands and eleven band ratios showed high correlation with all the soil quality parameters. Combining all the remotely sensed variables into models resulted in the finest fit with the R2 value equal to 0.84, 0.69, 0.59 and 0.85 for EC, pH, ESP and TSS, respectively. The soil quality parameter maps generated using selected models revealed that most of the part of the agricultural land of the study area lies in the range of moderately saline and moderately sodic soil. Further Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied to generate overall soil degradation probability map of the district, with respect to salt accumulation. The result revealed that the major portion of the entire agricultural field of the study area lie between low (32.74 %) to moderate (29.53 %) probability zones of salt susceptibility.