Investigating the potentialities of Monte Carlo simulation for assessing soil water content via proximal gamma-ray spectroscopy

Baldoncini, Marica; Albéri, Matteo; Bottardi, Carlo; Chiarelli, Enrico; Raptis, Kassandra Giulia Cristina; Strati, Virginia; Mantovani, Fabio

doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.06.001

Cited by 29 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…In this study, we adopted a value of Ω = 0.899, estimated on the basis of the specific composition of the soil of the experimental site [30]. If a soil mineralogical analysis lacks, a mean value together with its standard deviation Ω = (0.903 ± 0.011) estimated in [29] can be adopted. The Ω variability is expected to have second order effects on the estimation of gravimetric water content as the variation introduced by different Ω values would be undistinguishable within the ~0.017 kg/kg absolute uncertainty on the estimated w values, which is essentially dominated by the systematic component associated to the S cal and w Cal calibration reference values [36].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The reference evapotranspiration (ET0) ( Figure 3b) was calculated through the Hargreaves equation [28] by adopting the weather parameters recorded during the data-taking by the agro-meteorological station. A permanent gamma station, specifically designed and built for the experiment, with a 1 L sodium iodide (NaI) crystal was placed inside a steel box mounted on top of a 2.25 m high steel pole [29]. The gamma spectrometer was coupled to a photomultiplier tube base which output is processed by a digital multi-channel analyzer (MCA, CAEN γstream); the whole system was powered by a solar panel ( Figure 4).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modelling Soil Water Content in a Tomato Field: Proximal Gamma Ray Spectroscopy and Soil–Crop System Models

Strati

Albéri

Anconelli³

et al. 2018

Agriculture

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Proximal soil sensors are taking hold in the understanding of soil hydrogeological processes involved in precision agriculture. In this context, permanently installed gamma ray spectroscopy stations represent one of the best space-time trade off methods at field scale. This study proved the feasibility and reliability of soil water content monitoring through a seven-month continuous acquisition of terrestrial gamma radiation in a tomato test field. By employing a 1 L sodium iodide detector placed at a height of 2.25 m, we investigated the gamma signal coming from an area having a ~25 m radius and from a depth of approximately 30 cm. Experimental values, inferred after a calibration measurement and corrected for the presence of biomass, were corroborated with gravimetric data acquired under different soil moisture conditions, giving an average absolute discrepancy of about 2%. A quantitative comparison was carried out with data simulated by AquaCrop, CRITeRIA, and IRRINET soil-crop system models. The different goodness of fit obtained in bare soil condition and during the vegetated period highlighted that CRITeRIA showed the best agreement with the experimental data over the entire data-taking period while, in presence of the tomato crop, IRRINET provided the best results.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling Soil Water Content in a Tomato Field: Proximal Gamma Ray Spectroscopy and Soil–Crop System Models

Strati

Albéri

Anconelli³

et al. 2018

Agriculture

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Future development foresees the analysis of this information. In particular, gamma-rays were found to be correlated to soil moisture as well [45,46], but with a smaller footprint. The fast neutrons and high energy events detected can be used to normalize the incoming galactic fluctuations directly in-situ with the data from the sensor.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Novel Cosmic-Ray Neutron Sensor for Soil Moisture Estimation over Large Areas

Stevanato¹,

Baroni

Cohen

et al. 2019

Agriculture

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A correct soil moisture estimation is a fundamental prerequisite for many applications: agriculture, meteorological forecast, flood and drought prediction, and, in general, water accounting and management. Traditional methods typically provide point-like measurements, but suffer from soil heterogeneity, which can produce significant misinterpretation of the hydrological scenarios. In the last decade, cosmic-ray neutron sensing (CRNS) has emerged as a promising approach for the detection of soil moisture content. CRNS can average soil moisture over a large volume (up to tens of hectares) of terrain with only one probe, thus overcoming limitations arising from the heterogeneity of the soil. The present paper introduces the development of a new CRNS instrument designed for agricultural applications and based on an innovative neutron detector. The new instrument was applied and tested in two experimental fields located in Potsdam (DE, Germany) and Lagosanto (IT, Italy). The results highlight how the new detector could be a valid alternative and robust solution for the application of the CRNS technique for soil moisture measurements in agriculture.

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“…Their signal is attenuated by any material, but particularly by the water molecule. The gamma rays of the corresponding energy window can travel up to 30 cm in the ground and 25 m in the air [321]. Hence, gamma radiation can be a proxy for the average soil water content in the upper root zone [227].…”

Section: Airborne Geophysical Sensors Of Natural Radiation-gamma and mentioning

confidence: 99%

Linking Remote Sensing and Geodiversity and Their Traits Relevant to Biodiversity—Part I: Soil Characteristics

Lausch

Baade

Bannehr³

et al. 2019

Remote Sensing

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In the face of rapid global change it is imperative to preserve geodiversity for the overall conservation of biodiversity. Geodiversity is important for understanding complex biogeochemical and physical processes and is directly and indirectly linked to biodiversity on all scales of ecosystem organization. Despite the great importance of geodiversity, there is a lack of suitable monitoring methods. Compared to conventional in-situ techniques, remote sensing (RS) techniques provide a pathway towards cost-effective, increasingly more available, comprehensive, and repeatable, as well as standardized monitoring of continuous geodiversity on the local to global scale. This paper gives an overview of the state-of-the-art approaches for monitoring soil characteristics and soil moisture with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and air- and spaceborne remote sensing techniques. Initially, the definitions for geodiversity along with its five essential characteristics are provided, with an explanation for the latter. Then, the approaches of spectral traits (ST) and spectral trait variations (STV) to record geodiversity using RS are defined. LiDAR (light detection and ranging), thermal and microwave sensors, multispectral, and hyperspectral RS technologies to monitor soil characteristics and soil moisture are also presented. Furthermore, the paper discusses current and future satellite-borne sensors and missions as well as existing data products. Due to the prospects and limitations of the characteristics of different RS sensors, only specific geotraits and geodiversity characteristics can be recorded. The paper provides an overview of those geotraits.

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Investigating the potentialities of Monte Carlo simulation for assessing soil water content via proximal gamma-ray spectroscopy

Cited by 29 publications

References 48 publications

Modelling Soil Water Content in a Tomato Field: Proximal Gamma Ray Spectroscopy and Soil–Crop System Models

Modelling Soil Water Content in a Tomato Field: Proximal Gamma Ray Spectroscopy and Soil–Crop System Models

A Novel Cosmic-Ray Neutron Sensor for Soil Moisture Estimation over Large Areas

Linking Remote Sensing and Geodiversity and Their Traits Relevant to Biodiversity—Part I: Soil Characteristics

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