Hyperspectral Imaging of River Systems

Abstract

Abstract : The objective of this work is to put a hyperspectral imager in space to demonstrate the ability to covertly acquire data on shallow water bathymetry, bottom types, hazards to navigation, water clarity and beach and shore trafficability. The proposed activities are designed to take advantage of the Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO) currently flying on the International Space Station (ISS). As HICO Project Scientist I work to enhance community awareness of the need for and utility of hyperspectral imaging of the coastal ocean. Our work includes advancing methods of on-orbit calibration and product validation, and processing and analyzing hyperspectral data of the coastal ocean. In particular in this study we are using HICO data to characterize the properties of river systems and coastal waters. Conventional ocean color sensors have 1 km pixels and a few spectral channels; these have not proven adequate to resolve the complexity of river systems. HICO was designed to sample the coastal ocean and has 95 m GSD and 88 spectral channels suitable to resolve river systems and other coastal features. To make the best use of this data we are developing algorithms and approaches for resolving the constituents of river plumes, harmful algal blooms and other complex systems.