Detecting changes in surface soil moisture content using differential SAR interferometry

Barrett, B. , Whelan, P. and Dwyer, E. (2013) Detecting changes in surface soil moisture content using differential SAR interferometry. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 34(20), pp. 7091-7112. (doi: 10.1080/01431161.2013.813654)

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Abstract

The feasibility of measuring changes in surface soil moisture content with differential interferometric synthetic aperture radar (DInSAR) has received little attention in comparison with other active microwave techniques. In this study, multi-polarization C- and L-band DInSAR is explored as a potential tool for the measurement of changes in surface soil moisture in agricultural areas. Using 10 ascending phased array L-band SAR (PALSAR) scenes acquired by the Japanese Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) and 12 descending advanced SAR (ASAR) scenes acquired by the European ENVISAT satellite between July 2007 and November 2009, a series of 27 differential interferograms covering a common study area over southern Ireland were generated to investigate whether small-scale changes in phase are linked to measured soil moisture changes. Comparisons of observed mean surface displacement and in situ mean soil moisture change show that C-band cross-polarization pairs displayed the highest correlation coefficients over both the barley (correlation coefficient, r = 0.51, p = 0.04)- and potato crop (r = 0.81, p = 0.003)-covered fields. Current results support the hypothesis that a soil moisture phase contribution exists within differential interferograms covering agricultural areas.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Barrett, Dr Brian
Authors: Barrett, B., Whelan, P., and Dwyer, E.
Subjects:G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GA Mathematical geography. Cartography
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
Journal Name:International Journal of Remote Sensing
Publisher:Taylor and Francis
ISSN:0143-1161
ISSN (Online):1366-5901
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2013 Taylor and Francis
First Published:First published in International Journal of Remote Sensing 34(20):7091-7112
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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