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A RESEARCH PLAN FOR THE USE OF THERMAL AVHRR IMAGERY TO STUDY ANNUAL AND SEASONAL MEAN SURFACE TEMPERATURES FOR LARGE LAKES IN NORTH AMERICA
Citation:
Jarnagin, S T. AND E T. Slonecker. A RESEARCH PLAN FOR THE USE OF THERMAL AVHRR IMAGERY TO STUDY ANNUAL AND SEASONAL MEAN SURFACE TEMPERATURES FOR LARGE LAKES IN NORTH AMERICA. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-00/012 (NTIS PB2001-101933), 2000.
Impact/Purpose:
The objectives of this task are to:
Assess new remote sensing technology for applicability to landscape characterization; Integrate multiple sensor systems data for improved landscape characterization;
Coordinate future technological needs with other agencies' sensor development programs;
Apply existing remote sensing systems to varied landscape characterization needs; and
Conduct remote sensing applications research for habitat suitability, water resources, and terrestrial condition indicators.
Description:
Surface and vertical temperature data will be obtained from several large lakes With surface areas large enough to be effectively sampled with AVHRR imagery. Yearly and seasonal patterns of surface and whole water column thermal values will be compared to estimates of surface temperature obtained from NOM Coast Watch Imagery for , those lakes for the period of time where concurrent imagery and in situ data exist. The 1 . lakes chosen for this study will include lakes with a varying surface area to depth ratios, salinities, and geographic locations. Large shallow lakes are relatively well mixed and are more likely to be isothermal over their depth. Lakes with relatively smaller surface area to depth ratio (very deep lakes) are expected to be highly stratified and heterogeneous in temperature. Salinity and geographic location are also important factors in determining the thermal regime of a lake. Examples of large shallow lakes include Oneida Lake, New York; Lake Okeechobee, Florida; and the Salton Sea, California. Examples of very deep lakes include Pyramid Lake, Nevada and Lake Tahoe, California. The Salton Sea and Pyramid Lake are examples of high salinity systems. The comparison of seasonal values of surface temperature derived remotely from AVHRR imagery with surface and whole water column values will allow for an assessment of the ability of AVHRR imagery to accurately estimate changes in lake thermal values over time.