Ken Morgan

Mapping micro-urban heat islands using LANDSAT TM and a GIS

Abstract LANDSAT TM satellite data and GIS software were used to map micro-urban heat islands in a portion of Dallas, Texas. Unsupervised classifications were performed on a LANDSAT subscene to extract tree cover information which was merged with TM band 6 data (thermal) to make a map showing the location of micro-urban heat islands and wooded areas. Results indicate the presence of micro-urban heat islands are resulting from the lack of tree cover related to newly developed residential neighborhoods, parking lots, business districts, apartment complexes, and shopping centers. All micro-urban heat islands were radiative in nature, with highest temperatures in the center.

Using spot satellite data to map impervious cover for urban runoff predictions

Environment planners are constantly seeking rapid, accurate, and cost‐effective techniques to determine land cover information associated with water quality and quantity during runoff events in urban watersheds. Traditionally, this is accomplished with field surveys, aerial photographs, and/or generalized published maps. These techniques can be time consuming and labor intensive. In this study, SPOT, 10 meter‐panchromatic, satellite digital data were used to classify and map impervious cover in an urban watershed in Dallas, Texas (USA). Using the image‐derived impervious cover map and a hydrologic runoff equation, urban storm water volumes were predicted for 1990 and 1991 with an 85% accuracy when compared to actual runoff data obtained from a U.S. Geological Survey (U.S.G.S) stream gauge station.

Integrating information for better environmental decisions.

As more is learned about the complex nature and extent of environmental impacts from progressive human disturbance, scientists, policy analysts, decision makers, educators, and communicators are increasingly joining forces to develop strategies for preserving and protecting the environment. The Eco-Informa Foundation is an educational scientific organization dedicated to promoting the collaborative development and sharing of scientific information. The Foundation participated in a recent international conference on environmental informatics through a special symposium on integrating information for better environmental decisions. Presentations focused on four general themes: (1) remote sensing and data interpretation, including through new knowledge management tools; (2) risk assessment and communication, including for radioactively contaminated facilities, introduced biological hazards, and food safety; (3) community involvement in cleanup projects; and (4) environmental education. The general context for related issues, methods and applications, and results and recommendations from those discussions are highlighted here.

Septic tank and agricultural non‐point source pollution within a rural watershed

This investigation addresses the problem of Non‐Point Source (NPS) pollution in the rural Lake Weatherford watershed in Parker County, Texas. This reservoir is the primary municipal water supply for the City of Weatherford, Texas. The principal method of wastewater disposal is the on‐site system or septic tanks for the small residential areas surrounding the reservoir. Sources of NPS pollution of interest in this watershed include agricultural operations as well as the residential areas. These sites were identified with the aid of aerial photography and field investigation. Suspected NPS problems were substantiated through a sampling program involving chemical and biological testing of the reservoir. Results indicate that there is significant NPS pollution contamination of Lake Weatherford from agricultural sources and seepage from on‐site wastewater disposal systems. Excessive fecal coliform and fecal streptococcus counts (>500 bacteria/100 ml) were generally associated with rainfall events and several s...

Global maps for GIS

Utilizing workstations or inexpensive desktop computers and GIS software, investigators are able to process and display many layers of information simultaneously for interpretation. At a GIS workstation, earth scientists, for example, are able to correlate image data with geology, soils, vegetation, topography, and subsurface information into an integrated system that can be combined and cross-referenced for composite analysis. With a properly constructed GIS, the user is able to input, rectify, merge and display multiple data sets at various scales for interpretation (CH~SMAN, 1997). GIS technology is providing more information with greater accuracy and at a lower cost than previously thought possible. Spatial data processing hardware and software have advanced to a level that is beginning to match the challenge of large area resource evaluation and planning.

Remote Sensing Analysis of Selected Terrestrial Impact Craters and a Suspected Impact Structure in South Korea using Space Shuttle Photographs

Typical morphological elements for impact craters were detected on all analyzed Shuttle photographs. Features with diameters smaller than 2 km could not be successfully analyzed. The search for suitable Shuttle scenes was successfully performed using on-line Internet databases. Image enhancement and lineament analysis were also performed on the acquired Shuttle, Landsat and SPOT images of a suspected impact feature in South Korea. A fault bounded polygonal rim and a central uplift were identified on all images. A distinct system of annular and radial faults was not detected. The results of the study do not exclude the possibility of a meteoritic origin of this structure.

Geographic information systems (GIS) for environmental data base management and analysis

Computer‐based Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allow scientists to store, process and display spatial and tabular data for environmental analysis and interpretation. A properly configured GIS workstation can be used to store large data bases for areawide monitoring, derivative mapping, and environmental management. The characteristics and applications of GISs are examined in this paper and information is provided about low‐cost yet powerful systems.

Application of ‘Landsat’ data to resource management

Over the past few years, a great deal of interest has been focused on the use of remote sensing for resource management. This paper examines one of the most useful systems — Landsat. Included in this paper is a discussion of this remote-sensing technology, its application and its future as a tool for resources planning and management.

Use of Computer Enhanced Landsat Imagery as Planning Tool for Resource Exploration: ABSTRACT

Computer-processed NASA Landsat data were used as an exploration planning tool in four potential hydrocarbon-bearing areas in the United States and Israel. The project areas are located in Montana, Washington, west Texas, and the Dead Sea (Israel). End_Page 609------------------------------ Structural, stratigraphic, and geomorphic analyses have been performed to locate geologic anomalies. Image analysis provides a better understanding of the regional stress-strain relations for tectonic correlation. Digital Landsat (satellite) data were processed to produce a variety of images (i.e., edge-enhanced, high pass filter, false color, and ratio). Some of the images were geometrically corrected with map controls and nonlinear deconvolution resampling techniques (coverage 13,000 mi2; 33,670 km2). This helped facilitate more detailed mapping, interpretation, and data integration. These specially processed images have been used to map surface geology, lineament systems, and tectonic anomalies in relation to subsurface geologic and geophysical data. Project areas are defined in terms of tectonic genesis, structural trends, and hydrocarbon potential. Numerous exploration targets and several modes of hydrocarbon entrapment were identified by geologists at the TCU Center for Remote Sensing and Energy Research. This information is being used by various companies for planning their seismic programs in these frontier drilling areas. End_of_Article - Last_Page 610------------

Using Landsat Thematic Mapper Data for Structural Analysis of Slick Hills Area, Southwest Oklahoma: ABSTRACT

In this study, the authors used Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data to identify structural lineaments in the high deformed Slick Hills area of southwestern Oklahoma. These low-lying hills represent a sequence of Cambrian-Ordovician rocks (primarily carbonates) that were intensely folded and faulted during the Pennsylvanian and Early Permian. Their analysis of landsat TM computer-generated images (scale, 1:70,000) revealed two major lineament orientations from rose diagram plots. One set of lineaments trends N30{degree}-60{degree}W and is associated with left-lateral, thrust, and high-angle reverse faults. These faults, as well as fold axes and fracture patterns, dominate the study area and are well documented in the literature.