Soil moisture determined using the gravimetric method was measured at 800 sites along 24 transects. These transects were over flown by the airborne Gamma Radiation System used to measure soil moisture. These data are useful for comparison of airborne and ground soil moisture data. This analysis for the airborne Gamma Radiation System, using completely independent soil moisture data showed that the root mean square error of 97 flights was 3.02 percent soil moisture, with a bias of less than 0.5 percent soil moisture (Carroll et al., 1988).
Soil Moisture Data: Peck (FIFE).
(Peck Gravimetric Soil Moisture Data Set).
The Peck Gravimetric Soil Moisture Data Set contains soil moisture information. Soil moisture measurements were made along 24 flight lines that were flown during the 1987 and 1989 FIFE IFC's. At each of approximately 800 locations, one or more samples were obtained for a 20 centimeter depth or less. The percentage of soil moisture by weight was then determined.
The objectives of this research were: 1) to obtain improved estimates of the soil moisture conditions for the FIFE experimental area during the period of Intensive Field Campaigns, and 2) to provide the information for validating and calibrating other remote sensing methods for measuring soil moisture.
Gravimetric soil moisture.
Soil moisture determined using the gravimetric method was measured at 800 sites along 24 transects. These transects were over flown by the airborne Gamma Radiation System used to measure soil moisture. Soil moisture measurements were collected during June and July 1987, and August 1989. These data are useful for comparison of airborne and ground soil moisture data. For example, using only ground soil moisture data from the CORE stations not used in calibration of the flight lines, average line values were computed for each flight line. These values were compared with the airborne estimates for all flight lines for all days. This analysis for the airborne Gamma Radiation System, using completely independent soil moisture data showed that the root mean square error of 97 flights was 3.02 percent soil moisture, with a bias of less than 0.5 percent soil moisture (Carroll et al., 1988).
PECK_SOIL_MOISTURE_DATA.
Dr. Eugene L. Peck
Hydex Corporation
Dr. Thomas Carroll
National Weather Service
Gravimetric Soil Moisture for Gamma Ray Study.
Contact 1:
Dr. Eugene L. Peck
Hydex Corporation
Vienna, VA
(703) 281-6284
FAX (703) 281-6284
Contact 2:
Dr. Tom Carroll
NRSHP, Office of Hydrology
NWS, NOAA
Minneapolis, MN
(612) 725-3039
FAX (612) 725-3338
The assistance of the staff of the Kansas State University in the analysis of the ground samples collected for the Peck Gravimetric Soil Moisture data set is acknowledged. The field assistance rendered by Carrie Miller, in collecting ground soil moisture samples during FIFE 1989 was sincerely appreciated. The cooperation of Dr. Jim Wang, NASA, in providing transect gravimetric soil moisture measurements is greatly appreciated.
One effort in evaluating and using remotely sensed data has been that of determining the correlation between in situ measurements and remotely sensed measurements, and quantifying the added information value of the remotely sensed data. Moisture in the upper layers of the soil profile is an important portion of the total water balance of the earth-atmosphere system. Research has shown that remote sensing observations are sensitive to variations in soil moisture. In interpreting and applying remotely sensed moisture data to provide ancillary data that complements hydrological observations, one must be conscious of the conceptual framework on which the interpretations are based.
Water content measurements by gravimetric methods involve weighing the wet sample, removing the water by drying in an oven, and reweighing the sample to determine the amount of water removed. Water content then is obtained by dividing the difference between wet and dry masses by the mass of the dry sample to obtain the ratio of the mass of water to the mass of dry soil. When multiplied by 100, this becomes the percentage of water in the sample on a dry-mass (or, as often expressed, on a dry-weight) basis.
Airborne soil moisture measurement is based on the difference between natural terrestrial gamma radiation flux measured for comparatively wet and dry soils. The presence of moisture in the soil causes an effective increase in the soil density resulting in an increased attenuation of the gamma flux for relatively wet soil and a correspondingly lower flux at the ground surface. The gamma flux from the ground is a function primarily of the water mass and radioisotopes concentration (which remains constant over time) near the surface.
Apparatus required for gravimetric determination of water content may be used in many different forms, and so exact specifications are not needed. Requirements include an auger or sampling tube or some other suitable device to take a soil sample, soil containers with tight-fitting lids, an oven with means for controlling the temperature to 100 to 110 degrees Centigrade, a desiccator with active desiccant, and a balance for weighing the samples.
Ground.
Person on the ground.
Determination of soil moisture content.
Percent soil moisture.
Differences in dry and wet weight of soil.
Samples were obtained with a 2.54 cm cylindrical coring tube.
Arts Manufacturing
105 Harrison and Oregon Trail
American Falls, ID
83211
Soil core sampler specifications: diameter 2.54 cm.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not available.
Gravimetric samples of the 0-20 cm were taken using a 2.54 core sampler, The total sample was put in a plastic can. Each sample was identified by the sample site ID code. In some cases more than one 0-20 cm measurement was taken. In other cases, samples of 0-10, and 10-20 cm were taken. After sampling, the cans were opened and weighed to obtain the wet weight. Open cans were placed in ovens at 105 degrees Centigrade for a minimum of 48 hours for drying, then they were weighed again to obtain the dry weight.
Not available.
Descriptive information on the site was provided by the person making the soil moisture measurement.
The FIFE study area with areal extent of 15 km by 15 km, is located south of the Tuttle Reservoir and Kansas River, about 10 km from Manhattan, Kansas, USA. The northwest corner of the area has UTM coordinates of 4,334,000 Northing and 705,000 Easting in UTM Zone 14.
Soil moisture measurements were made along 24 flight lines that were flown during the 1987 and 1989 FIFE IFC's. At each of approximately 800 locations, one or more samples were obtained for a 20 centimeter depth or less. The percentage of soil moisture by weight was then determined.
The locations (latitude and longitude) of the ground sampling points and information on the sampling sites are given in a file in the same directory as this document on FIFE CD-ROM Volume 1. See Other Relevant Information for more information on the sites.
Not available.
These were point data along flight line segments.
Not available.
Not available.
Soil samples were collected during June and July of 1987, during the Intensive Field Campaigns (IFC) of approximately 2 weeks each, and during a final IFC from August 2 - August 10, 1989 as a follow-up effort.
Not available.
Soil moisture samples were obtained daily during the IFC's.
The SQL definition for this table is found in the PECK_SM.TDF file located on FIFE CD-ROM Volume 1.
Parameter/Variable Name
Parameter/Variable Description Range Units Source
SITEGRID_ID This is a FIS grid location code. FIS Site grid codes (SSEE-III) give the south (SS) and east (EE) cell number in a 100 x 100 array of 200 m square cells. The last 3 characters (III) are an instrument identifier.
STATION_ID The three-digit FIFE site min = 601, FIS identification number for the site max = 624 where the data were collected.
OBS_DATE The date of the observations. min = 02-JUN-87, KANSAS STATE max = 09-AUG-89 UNIVERSITY
OBS_TIME The time of day that the data min = 1339, [GMT] KANSAS STATE were collected, given as the max = 2050, UNIVERSITY midpoint of 30-minute average. missing = -999
SAMPLE_LOCN The identification number for the min = 101, KANSAS STATE location of the sample. max = 210 UNIVERSITY
SOIL_MOISTURE_GRAVMTRC The gravimetric soil moisture for min = 0, [percent] KANSAS STATE the top 20 centimeters. max = 46.03 UNIVERSITY
SAMPLE_SITE_SLOPE The slope of the sample site. min = 0, [degrees] CLINOMETER max = 35, missing = -99
SAMPLE_SITE_ASPCT_DIR The aspect direction of the min = EAST, KANSAS STATE sample site. max = WESTSOUTH UNIVERSITY WEST
SAMPLE_SITE_DESCR A description of the sample site, KANSAS STATE for example visual descriptions of UNIVERSITY the soil and vegetation.
FIFE_DATA_CRTFCN_CODE * The FIFE Certification Code for CPI=checked FIS the data, in the following format: by principal CPI (Certified by PI), CPI-??? investigator (CPI - questionable data).
LAST_REVISION_DATE data, in the format (DD-MMM-YY). max = 17-JAN-90
Footnote:
* Decode the FIFE_DATA_CRTFCN_CODE field as follows:
The primary certification codes are: EXM Example or Test data (not for release). PRE Preliminary (unchecked, use at your own risk). CPI Checked by Principal Investigator (reviewed for quality). CGR Checked by a group and reconciled (data comparisons and cross-checks).
The certification code modifiers are: PRE-NFP Preliminary - Not for publication, at the request of investigator. CPI-MRG PAMS data that are "merged" from two separate receiving stations to eliminate transmission errors. CPI-??? Investigator thinks data item may be questionable.
SITEGRID_ID STATION_ID OBS_DATE OBS_TIME SAMPLE_LOCN
----------- ---------- --------- -------- -----------
3639-SMP 602 01-AUG-89 -999 138
3639-SMP 602 01-AUG-89 -999 137
3639-SMP 602 01-AUG-89 -999 136
3639-SMP 602 01-AUG-89 -999 135
SOIL_MOISTURE_GRAVMTRC SAMPLE_SITE_SLOPE SAMPLE_SITE_ASPCT_DIR
---------------------- ----------------- ---------------------
37.710 20 SOUTHEAST
34.550 10 WEST
27.270 15 SOUTH
28.920 5 SOUTH
SAMPLE_SITE_DESCR FIFE_DATA_CRTFCN_CODE
-------------------------------------------- ---------------------
CLAY;GRS 15";2 4" CORES SHORT OF HY CPI
CLAY;GRS 2-4";2 4" CORES GULLY TO W CPI
CLAY;GRS 1-2";6" CORE CPI
CLAY;GRS 4-5";7" CORE NR LYDAR STA. CPI
LAST_REVISION_DATE
------------------
16-JAN-90
16-JAN-90
16-JAN-90
16-JAN-90
Soil moisture measurements were made along 24 flight lines that were flown during June and July of 1987 and during August 1989. At each of approximately 800 locations, one or more samples were obtained for a 20 centimeter depth or less.
A general description of data granularity as it applies to the IMS appears in the EOSDIS Glossary.
The CD-ROM file format consists of numerical and character fields of varying length separated by commas. The character fields are enclosed with a single apostrophe. There are no spaces between the fields. Each file begins with five header records. Header records contain the following information: Record 1 Name of this file, its table name, number of records in this file, path and name of the document that describes the data in this file, and name of principal investigator for these data. Record 2 Path and filename of the previous data set, and path and filename of the next data set. (Path and filenames for files that contain another set of data taken at the same site on the same day.) Record 3 Path and filename of the previous site, and path and filename of the next site. (Path and filenames for files of the same data set taken on the same day for the previous and next sites (sequentially numbered by SITEGRID_ID)). Record 4 Path and filename of the previous date, and path and filename of the next date. (Path and filenames for files of the same data set taken at the same site for the previous and next date.) Record 5 Column names for the data within the file, delimited by commas. Record 6 Data records begin.
Each field represents one of the attributes listed in the chart in the Data Characteristics Section and described in detail in the TDF file. These fields are in the same order as in the chart.
weight of wet soil
Percent Water content = [ --------------------- - 1 ] x 100.
weight of dry soil
Soil samples obtained in the field were placed in sealed plastic containers and taken to the field laboratory of the Kansas State University.
The soil sample were weighed to obtain the wet weight, placed in ovens at 105 degrees Centigrade for a minimum of 48 hours for drying, and then were weighed again to obtain the dry weight.
Percent soil moisture on a weight basis. Calculated according to the following formula:
100 X ((Wet wt. - Dry wt.)/(Dry wt.))
The method used is the standard for determination of the percent soil moisture on a weight basis and no special correction or adjustment are required.
Percent soil moisture.
Not available.
Errors could arise in water content measurements depending on the technique used to avoid absorption of water from the air during cooling and prior to weighing. Also, the time necessary to reach 'constant' weight will depend upon the type of oven used (forced- draft of convection type), the size or depth of the sample, the nature of the soil, and if the oven is loaded heavily or not.
Water content values for stony or gravely soils, both on a mass and volume basis, can be grossly misleading. The problem arises from the fact that a large rock can occupy appreciable volume in a soil sample and contribute appreciably to the mass without making a commensurate contribution to the porosity or water capacity of the soil.
Ground soil moisture measurements were compared with other measurements made along the flight line the same day and with other available soil moisture measurements (primarily from CORE stations).
In 1989, the variation of gravimetric soil moisture values from day to day during the field campaign were plotted on graphs to check for anomalous data points. The results were discussed in the daily group meetings of FIFE investigators.
Standard methods for sampling and determination of soil moisture by weight using the gravimetric technique were followed (Gardner 1986).
Many comparisons were made with the airborne gamma radiation soil moisture estimates and with the Pushbroom Microwave Radiometer (PBMR) measurements by Wang of NASA. The results indicate that the average of the soil moisture measurements along a flight line were reliable but no specific assessment of individual measurements were made.
The data verification performed by the ORNL DAAC deals with the quality of the data format, media, and readability. The ORNL DAAC does not make an assessment of the quality of the data itself except during the course of performing other QA procedures as described below.
The FIFE data were transferred to the ORNL DAAC via CD-ROM. These CD-ROMs are distributed by the ORNL DAAC unmodified as a set or in individual volumes, as requested. In addition, the DAAC has incorporated each of the 98 FIFE tabular datasets from the CD-ROMs into its online data holdings. Incorporation of these data involved the following steps:
Each distinct type of data (i.e. "data set" on the CD-ROM), is accompanied by a documentation file (i.e., .doc file) and a data format/structure definition file (i.e., .tdf file). The data format files on the CD-ROM are Oracle SQL commands (e.g., "create table") that can be used to set up a relational database table structure. This file provides column/variable names, character/numeric type, length, and format, and labels/comments. These SQL commands were converted to SAS code and were used to create SAS data sets and subsequently to input data files directly from the CD-ROM into a SAS dataset. During this process, file names and directory paths were captured and metadata was extracted to the extent possible electronically. No files were found to be corrupted or unreadable during the conversion process.
Additional Quality Assurance procedures were performed as follows:
As errors are discovered in the online tabular data by investigators, users, or DAAC staff, corrections are made in cooperation with the principal investigators. These corrections are then distributed to users. CD-ROM data are corrected when re-mastering occurs for replenishment of CD-ROM stock.
Not available.
There are no known problems with the ground soil moisture measurement made in support of the airborne gamma radiation project.
This data set has been used in conjunction with other soil moisture data to validate the soil moisture values predicted by the airborne remote sensing instruments during FIFE. It could be used with caution in similar prairie landscapes to compare remote sensing derived soil moisture and field measured soil moisture.
The airborne gamma radiation soil moisture estimates have been used in conjunction with all other remote sensed and ground measurements to produce soil moisture contours (representing average soil moisture for an area of 0.5 km^2) for the FIFE research area. These isolines are available in the GRABBAG directory on FIFE CD-ROM Volume 1.
PECK_SITE_REF
Latitude and longitude for the transect segment end points and ground soil moisture sample locations are given. The following chart describes the column names, descriptions, ranges, units, and source for each of the fields that describe the location of information.
Parameter/Variable Name
Parameter/Variable Description Range Units Source
SITEGRID_ID This is a FIS grid location code. FIS Site grid codes (SSEE-III) give the south (SS) and east (EE) cell number in a 100 x 100 array of 200 m square cells. The last 3 characters (III) are an instrument identifier.
STATION_ID The station ID designating the min = 601, HYDEX location of the observations. max = 624 CORPORATION, VIRGINIA
LOCN_ID_NUM The identification number for the min = 1, HYDEX transect segment or ground sample max = 210 CORPORATION, point. Transect segments have VIRGINIA numbers less than 100; ground samples have numbers greater than 100.
START_LAT The latitude of the start point min = 38 58 25, [DEGREES NOAA of the segment. max = 39 7 22 MINUTES AEROCOMMANDER SECONDS]
START_LON The longitude of the start point min = 96 27 30, [DEGREES NOAA of the segment. max = 96 36 56 MINUTES AEROCOMMANDER SECONDS]
END_LAT The latitude of the end point of min = 39 0 17, [DEGREES NOAA the segment. max = 39 7 26 MINUTES AEROCOMMANDER SECONDS]
END_LON The longitude of the end point of min = 96 26 45, [DEGREES NOAA the segment. max = 96 37 18 MINUTES AEROCOMMANDER SECONDS]
COMMENTS Any comments about the data. HYDEX CORPORATION, VIRGINIA
This data set provides information useful in validating and calibrating other remote sensing methods for measuring soil moisture.
The FIFE field campaigns were held in 1987 and 1989 and there are no plans for new data collection. Field work continues near the FIFE site at the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network Konza research site (i.e., LTER continues to monitor the site). The FIFE investigators are continuing to analyze and model the data from the field campaigns to produce new data products.
Software to access the data set is available on the all volumes of the FIFE CD-ROM set. For a detailed description of the available software see the Software Description Document.
ORNL DAAC User Services
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Telephone: (865) 241-3952
FAX: (865) 574-4665
Email: ornldaac@ornl.gov
ORNL Distributed Active Archive Center
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
USA
Telephone: (865) 241-3952
FAX: (865) 574-4665
Email: ornldaac@ornl.gov
Users may place requests by telephone, electronic mail, or FAX. Data is also available via the World Wide Web at http://daac.ornl.gov.
FIFE data are available from the ORNL DAAC. Please contact the ORNL DAAC User Services Office for the most current information about these data.
The Peck Gravimetrical Soil Moisture data are available on FIFE CD-ROM Volume 1. The CD-ROM file name is as follows:
\DATA\SOILMSTR\PECK_SM\Yyyyy\ydddgrid.PSM
Where yyyy are the four digits of the century and year (e.g., Y1987 = 1987). Note: capital letters indicate fixed values that appear on the CD-ROM exactly as shown here, lower case indicates characters (values) that change for each path and file.
The format used for the filenames is: ydddgrid.sfx, where grid is the four-number code for the location within the FIFE site grid, y is the last digit of the year (e.g., 7 = 1987, and 9 = 1989), and ddd is the day of the year (e.g., 061 = sixty-first day in the year). The filename extension (.sfx), identifies the data set content for the file (see the Data Characteristics Section) and is equal to .PSM for this data set.
Gardner, W.H. 1986. Water content. p. 635-662. In: A. Klute (ed.) Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 1. Physical and mineralogical methods. 2nd ed. Agronomy Monogr. 9. ASA and SSSA. Madison, WI.
Carroll, T.R., and M. Allen. 1988. Airborne gamma radiation snow water measurements and soil moisture measurements and satellite areal extent of snow cover measurements: A user's guide. Version 3.0. Office of Hydrology. National Weather Service. Minneapolis, MN.
Carroll, T.R. 1981. Airborne soil moisture measurement using natural terrestrial gamma radiation. Soil Science. 132:358-366.
Carroll, T.R., and E.L. Peck. 1988. Airborne time-series measurements of soil moisture using terrestrial gamma radiation. Proc. Am. Congr. Sur. Map. and Am. Soc. for Photogram. & Rem. Sens. St. Louis, MO.
Peck, E.L., T.R. Carroll, and D.M. Lipinski. 1990. Airborne gamma radiation soil moisture measurements over short flight lines. Sym. on the First ISLSCP Field Experiment. Anaheim, CA. American Meteorological Soc. Boston, Massachusetts. p. 79-84.
The Collected Data of the First ISLSCP Field Experiment is archived at the EOS Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, Tennessee (see Data Center Identification ). Documentation about using the archive and/or online access to the data at the ORNL DAAC is not available at this revision.
A general glossary for the DAAC is located at Glossary.
A general list of acronyms for the DAAC is available at Acronyms.
May 9, 1994 (citation revised on October 14, 2002).
Warning: This document has not been checked for technical or editorial accuracy by the FIFE Information Scientist. There may be inconsistencies with other documents, technical or editorial errors that were inadvertently introduced when the document was compiled or references to preliminary data that were not included on the final CD-ROM.
Previous versions of this document have been reviewed by the Principal Investigator, the person who transmitted the data to FIS, a FIS staff member, or a FIFE scientist generally familiar with the data.
February 18, 1996.
ORNL-FIFE_PECK_SM.
Peck, E. L., and T. Carroll. Soil Moisture Data: Peck (FIFE). Data set. Available on-line [http://www.daac.ornl.gov] from Oak Ridge National Laboratory Distributed Active Archive Center, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, U.S.A. doi:10.3334/ORNLDAAC/109. Also published in D. E. Strebel, D. R. Landis, K. F. Huemmrich, and B. W. Meeson (eds.), Collected Data of the First ISLSCP Field Experiment, Vol. 1: Surface Observations and Non-Image Data Sets. CD-ROM. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, U.S.A. (available from http://www.daac.ornl.gov).