Remote Sensing Applications in Environmental Chemistry

Prepared by Audrey LaVallie, Turtle Mountain Community College

Overview of the Teaching Box:

The laboratory activities in this teaching box include mapping environmental parameters; measuring reflectivity in the laboratory and applying those principles to remote sensing; measuring emissivity of various substances in the laboratory and applying those principles to remote sensing; and measuring sedimentation rates in the laboratory and applying that information to remote sensing. Each activity includes a teacher’s guide with background information, laboratory procedures, examples of student problems and questions along with expected responses to those problems and questions. In addition, there is a student guide for each activity that includes background information, description of laboratory procedures, directions for collecting and analyzing data, and questions and problems related to the lab activity for the student to solve. Each activity can be done as a stand-alone activity. The order in which the activities are done can be changed to suit the needs of individual instructors.

Goals of the Teaching Box:

1. Students will create Excel files arranging previously collected environmental parameter data, convert the Excel document into dBaseIV format, and use the dBase file as a table referenced by a raster map.
2. Measure permeability and runoff rate of two different soils and solve problems related to the lab activity.
3. Identify sedimentation sources using satellite imagery and answer questions related to those images.
4. Set up reflectivity apparatus including a light sensor and collected reflectivity data of a variety of natural and manmade materials.
5. View NDVI- Normalized Difference Vegetation Index satellite imagery over an extended time frame to compare differences in vegetation.
6. Use a laser infrared sensor to measure the emissivity of various materials and compare to emissivity values published in the literature.
7. Apply laboratory learning to the solution of problems posed using satellite imagery.

Teaching Box Activities:

1. Laboratory: Mapping 1999 Water Quality Study Data for Rolette County, North Dakota
   This tutorial activity includes background information on the significance of several environmental parameters: dissolved oxygen, nitrates and nitrites, phosphates, pH, and temperature. Students use local water quality study data collected in 1999 to create an Excel file which is then converted to dBase IV format for use as a table referenced by a raster map of Rolette County, ND.
2. Sedimentation and Remote Sensing
   Students conduct an experiment testing the permeability and the runoff rate of two soil types to better understand some of the physics of soil processes. Students then apply physics principles to the solution of problems dealing with slope and runoff. These ideas are also applied to analysis of satellite imagery showing examples of sedimentation. There is a teacher’s guide that accompanies this activity containing solutions to the problems and suggestions for locating suitable satellite imagery.
3. Reflectivity in Remote Sensing
   A simple laboratory setup is used to measure relative reflectance of a number of substances found in the environment. Visible and near-infrared satellite images are used to illustrate ground cover reflection. Students complete a question sheet to demonstrate their ability to interpret the imagery.
4. Emissivity and Remote Sensing
   Students use a laser infrared sensor to measure the emissivity of a variety of environmental materials. Students will complete a set of lab questions based on their measurements including interpretation of false color satellite images.