Evaluation of a surface energy balance method based on optical and thermal satellite imagery to estimate root-zone soil moisture

Abstract. The Tibetan Plateau plays a significant role in the atmospheric circulation and the Asian monsoon system. Turbulent surface fluxes and the evolution of boundary layer clouds to deep and moist convection provide a feedback system that modifies the Plateau's surface energy balance on scales that are currently unresolved in mesoscale models. This work analyses the land surface's role and specifically the influence of soil moisture on the triggering of convection at a cross-section of the Nam Co Lake basin, 150 km north of Lhasa using a cloud resolving atmospheric model with a fully coupled surface. The modelled turbulent fluxes and development of convection compare reasonably well with the observed weather. The simulations span Bowen-ratios of 0.5 to 2.5. It is found that convection development is strongest at intermediate soil moistures. Dry cases with soils close to the permanent wilting point are moisture limited in the convection development, while convection in wet soil moisture cases is limited by cloud cover reducing incoming solar radiation and sensible heat fluxes. This has a strong impact on the surface energy balance. This study also shows that local development of convection is an important mechanism for the upward transport of water vapour that originates from the lake basin that can then be transported to dryer regions of the plateau. Both processes demonstrate the importance of soil moisture and surface–atmosphere interactions on the energy and hydrological cycles of the Tibetan Plateau.

Download Full-text

The LAB-Net Soil Moisture Network: Application to Thermal Remote Sensing and Surface Energy Balance

Data ◽

10.3390/data1010006 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 6 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Cristian Mattar ◽

Andrés Santamaría-Artigas ◽

Claudio Durán-Alarcón ◽

Luis Olivera-Guerra ◽

Rodrigo Fuster ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing ◽

Soil Moisture ◽

Energy Balance ◽

Surface Energy ◽

Surface Energy Balance ◽

Thermal Remote Sensing ◽

Network Application

Download Full-text

Estimation of Surface Soil Moisture in Irrigated Lands by Assimilation of Landsat Vegetation Indices, Surface Energy Balance Products, and Relevance Vector Machines

Water ◽

10.3390/w8040167 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 167 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Alfonso Torres-Rua ◽

Andres Ticlavilca ◽

Roula Bachour ◽

Mac McKee

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Energy Balance ◽

Surface Energy ◽

Surface Energy Balance ◽

Surface Soil ◽

Vegetation Indices ◽

Surface Soil Moisture ◽

Relevance Vector Machines ◽

Vector Machines ◽

Irrigated Lands

Download Full-text

The recent retreat of Mexican glaciers on Citlaltépetl Volcano detected using ASTER data

The Cryosphere Discussions ◽

10.5194/tcd-6-3149-2012 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 3149-3176 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

J. Cortés-Ramos ◽

H. Delgado-Granados

Keyword(s):

Energy Balance ◽

Surface Energy ◽

Satellite Imagery ◽

Surface Energy Balance ◽

Meteorological Data ◽

Radiation Balance ◽

Net Radiation ◽

Glacial Retreat ◽

Radiation Data ◽

Close Relationship

Abstract. Satellite imagery and net radiation data collected between 2001 and 2007 for Citlaltépetl Volcano confirm the dramatic shrinkage of Glaciar Norte and the elimination of Jamapa and Chichimeco glacier tongues. The Glaciar Norte rapidly retreated between 2001 and 2002 while for 2007 this retreat decreases considerably. Jamapa and Chichimeco tongues disappeared by 2001 as compared to the geometry shown for 1958. The Glaciar Norte lost about 72% of its surface area between 1958 and 2007. Recently, the ice loss appears to be accelerating as evidenced by the 33% areal loss in just 6 yr between 2001 and 2007. At this shrinkage rate the glaciers would be gone from the volcano by the year 2020, which is decades earlier than previously estimated. The net radiation from ASTER images and the energy fluxes calculated via the meteorological data at the glacial surface show the close relationship between glacial shrinkage and surface energy balance. The magnitude of changes in the net radiation balance allows improved understanding of glacial retreat in Mexico.

Download Full-text