The effect of flight line spacing on radioactivity inventory and spatial feature characteristics of airborne gamma-ray spectrometry data

Sanderson, D.C.W. , Cresswell, A.J. and White, D.C. (2008) The effect of flight line spacing on radioactivity inventory and spatial feature characteristics of airborne gamma-ray spectrometry data. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 29(1), pp. 31-46. (doi: 10.1080/01431160701268970)

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Abstract

Airborne Gamma Spectrometry (AGS) is well suited to the mapping of radioactivity in the environment. Flight parameters (e.g. speed and line spacing) directly affect the rate of area coverage, cost, and data quality of any survey. The influences of line spacing have been investigated for data from inter‐tidal, coastal and upland environments with a range of <sup>137</sup>Cs activity concentrations and depositional histories. Estimates of the integrated <sup>137</sup>Cs activity (‘inventory’) within specified areas and the shapes of depositional features were calculated for subsets of the data at different line spacings. Features with dimensions greater than the line spacing show variations in inventory and area of less than 3%, and features with dimensions less than the line spacing show larger variations and a decreased probability of detection. The choice of line spacing for a task is dependent on the dimensions of the features of interest and required edge definition. Options for line spacing for different tasks are suggested. It is noted that for regional mapping, even 5–10 km line spacing can produce useful data.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This is an electronic version of an article published in International Journal of Remote Sensing 29(1):31-46. International Journal of Remote Sensing is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01431160701268970
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Cresswell, Dr Alan and Sanderson, Professor David
Authors: Sanderson, D.C.W., Cresswell, A.J., and White, D.C.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Journal Name:International Journal of Remote Sensing
ISSN:0143-1161
Published Online:27 July 2010
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2008 Taylor and Francis
First Published:First published in International Journal of Remote Sensing 29(1):31-46
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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