Farrand, William (Bill): Space Science Institute (Project Lead)
Project Funding:
2017 - 2019
NRA: 2016 NASA: Utilization of Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer- Next Generation Data from an Airborne Campaign in India-AVRSNG
Funded by NASA
Abstract:
The objectives of this proposed research are to use AVIRIS-NG data collected over the Ambaji and Zawar mines, and their surroundings, in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan in India to examine impacts from those mines on the local environment and water resources. To assess these impacts, the AVIRIS-NG data will be used to map minerals both at these mine sites and in the surrounding drainage basins in which they reside. Acid-generating minerals at and near the mine sites will be flagged as will minerals with the potential to adsorb trace metals released from the mines and surrounding mineralized areas. Also, any changes in the reflectance of absorption features of minerals with adsorbed trace metals will be characterized and minerals with adsorbed trace metals will be mapped in the high spectral resolution AVIRIS-NG data on the basis of the distorted absorption features. Streams, rivers or other water bodies downslope from any exposures of acid-generating minerals or minerals that have adsorbed trace metals will be flagged as potentially having impacted water quality. This proposal addresses potential impacts on water quality in the Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan from mines and mineralized areas covered in AVIRIS-NG flightlines collected in 2016 in coordination with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Assessments of water quality using NASA developed air- or spaceborne sensors are relevant to the NASA Applied Sciences Water Resources Application Area. This proposed investigation will examine the utility of the application of AVIRIS-NG imaging spectroscopy data to map minerals with the potential to affect water quality in drainage basins associated with the Ambaji and Zawar mines. Determining the presence of surface exposures of acid-generating or trace metal-bearing minerals will allow for local authorities to keep them from affecting downslope water supplies. In order to assess the possible presence of trace-metal bearing minerals, we will explore if AVIRIS-NG spectra can distinguish and map changes in absorption band shape in stream sediments downslope from the mining centers that was caused by the adsorption of heavy metals into the mineral lattice.
More details may be found in the following project profile(s):