Comparison of a model of the disturbed soil spectrum to field observations

Abstract

The spectral emissivity of soils in the region of thermal emission from 8 -14 micrometers is a combination of the spectral emission of the mineral and other components in the soil, as well as their physical arrangement and the thermal state of the soil (presence of thermal gradients). In this paper, we will outline the procedure for producing a spectral model of a mixed soil, and show examples of model soils compared to measured soils with the two major soil constituents: quartz and clay. The predictions of this theory are then compared to field measurements made with a LWIR Spectrometer of disturbed and undisturbed soil.

Investigation of disturbed earth detection in the very long wavelength infrared (VLWIR)

“…It has been demonstrated that the intensity of RB-1 is related to the size distribution of silica particles in the soil. [4] Specifically, in undisturbed, weathered soil, large silica particles dominate in the surface resulting in a large reflectance signature for the RB-1 band. [4,5] …”

“…[4] Specifically, in undisturbed, weathered soil, large silica particles dominate in the surface resulting in a large reflectance signature for the RB-1 band. [4,5] …”