RESUME REMOTE SENSING (BASIC THEORY, WAVE PROPAGATION DAN

STUDY CASE)

Bagoes Idcha Mawardi1 03411640000046

Raihan Fachri N2 034116400000

Departemen Teknik Geofisika

Fakultas Teknik Sipil Lingkungan dan Kebumian,
Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS)

1. BASIC THEORY OF REMOTE SENSING

Remote sensing includes methods that utilize images obtained in the ultra-violet,
visible, and near infrared bands of the electromagnetic spectrum (table 1). Thermal infrared
observations, discussed previously under thermal methods, are also part of remote sensing.
Remote sensing data are treated in image format, often in digital form, so that they can be
processed conveniently. By comparison with known spectral responses of minerals or mineral
groups, iron hydroxide minerals, silica, clay alteration, etc., can be defined over broad areas.
Remote sensing can be used in geoenvironmental studies to map surface alteration patterns
(Knepper, 1989) and to identify anomalous vegetation patterns in areas related to abnormal
metal content in soil (Birnie and Francica, 1981).
Remote sensing (RS), also called earth observation, refers to obtaining information
about objects or areas at the Earth’s surface without being in direct contact with the object or
area. Humans accomplish this task with aid of eyes or by the sense of smell or hearing; so,
remote sensing is day-to- day business for people. Reading the newspaper, watching cars
driving in front of you are all remote sensing activities. Most sensing devices record information
about an object by measuring an object’s transmission of electromagnetic energy from
reflecting and radiating surfaces.
Remote sensing techniques allow taking images of the earth surface in various
wavelength region of the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS). One of the major characteristics
of a remotely sensed image is the wavelength region it represents in the EMS. Some of the
images represent reflected solar radiation in the visible and the near infrared regions of the
electromagnetic spectrum, others are the measurements of the energy emitted by the earth
surface itself i.e. in the thermal infrared wavelength region. The energy measured in the
microwave region is the measure of relative return from the earth’s surface, where the energy
is transmitted from the vehicle itself. This is known as active remote sensing, since the energy
source is provided by the remote sensing platform. Whereas the systems where the remote
sensing measurements depend upon the external energy source, such as sun are referred to
as passive remote sensing systems.
Detection and discrimination of objects or surface features means detecting and
recording of radiant energy reflected or emitted by objects or surface material (Fig. 1). Different
objects return different amount of energy in different bands of the electromagnetic spectrum,
incident upon it. This depends on the property of material (structural, chemical, and physical),
surface roughness, angle of incidence, intensity, and wavelength of radiant energy.
The Remote Sensing is basically a multi-disciplinary science which includes a
combination of various disciplines such as optics, spectroscopy, photography, computer,
electronics and telecommunication, satellite launching etc. All these technologies are
 integrated to act as one complete system in itself, known as Remote Sensing System. There
are a number of stages in a Remote Sensing process, and each of them is important for
successful operation.
Stages in Remote Sensing
• Emission of electromagnetic radiation, or EMR (sun/self- emission)
• Transmission of energy from the source to the surface of the earth, as well as
absorption and scattering
• Interaction of EMR with the earth’s surface: reflection and emission
• Transmission of energy from the surface to the remote sensor
• Sensor data output
• Data transmission, processing and analysis

2. ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION AND THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

EMR is a dynamic form of energy that propagates as wave motion at a velocity of c = 3 x 1010
cm/sec. The parameters that characterize a wave motion are wavelength, frequency and velocity
(c) (Fig. 2). The relationship between the above is

Electromagnetic energy radiates in accordance with the basic wave theory. This theory
describes the EM energy as travelling in a harmonic sinusoidal fashion at the velocity of light.
Although many characteristics of EM energy are easily described by wave theory, another
theory known as particle theory offers insight into how electromagnetic energy interacts with
 matter. It suggests that EMR is composed of many discrete units called photons/quanta. The
energy of photon is

3. WAVE PROPAGATION
Propagation through space of a time-varying wave that has both electrical and magnetic
components Consider a simple sine wave as our model, with:
wavelength ≡ λ (“lambda”), frequency ≡ ν (“nu”), and speed V = νλ The wave’s period
T = 1/ν . In a vacuum, the speed is denoted as c (c ≈ 3 x 108 m/sec)

The real index of refraction n is defined by n = c V

Ν.Β.: the speed referred to here is that of the waveform, not of any object, so that values of n
< 1 (and thus V > c) are possible.

Light consists of oscillating electrical fields (denoted E above), and magnetic fields
(denoted B). We’ll concentrate on E and ignore B, however, we could just as easily describe
 light using B. We don’t do it because the interaction of magnetic fields with charged particles
is more complex than electric fields, but we could.

Light whose electric field oscillates in a particular way is called polarized. If the
oscillation lies in a plane, the light is called plane or linearly polarized (top right). Linearly
polarized light can be polarized in different directions (e.g., vertical or horizontal above). Light
can also be circularly polarized, with its electric field direction spiraling in a screw pattern or
helix that has either a right- or left-handed sense (bottom). Seen along propagation axis x this
helix has a circular cross-section. Light can also combine linear and circular polarization — its
electric field then traces out a helix with an elliptical cross-section. Such light is called
elliptically polarized. We often speak of unpolarized light, yet each individual EMR wave is
itself completely polarized. Unpolarized light is actually the sum of light emitted by many
different charges that accelerate in random directions. Real detectors like radiometers can
only observe the space- and time-averaged intensities of the myriad oscillating charges. If this
light has an observable dominant polarization, we call it polarized.

4. STUDY CASE
For any mineral exploration program, the geological mapping provides the basic
ground. Data from other sources combined with remote sensing provide comple- mentary
measurements. Expression of surface topography and roughness is provided by “Radar.” A
host of geological applications in remote sensing includes: (1) surficial/ lithological and
structural mapping, (2) mineral/hydrocarbon exploration, (3) geo- environmental and
geohazard mapping, (4) baseline infrastructure, (5) sedimentation mapping and monitoring,
(6) geobotany, (7) sand & gravel exploration and exploitation, among others.
 Geological exploration is the most rudimentary operation in remote detecting when
aerial photographs are used utilized to recognize topographic surface com- ponents which
might suggest subsurface features. At the point when searching for alike mineral deposits in
a specific locale, surface components, eg, differential weathering, pattern of drainage,
folds/faults, can be distinguished that can be contrasted with exploration targets elsewhere
(Fig. 4.4). The importance of regional and local fracture patterns as controls of ore deposits
has been recognized for long time by prospectors and mining geologists. Regional and local
fracture patterns localize many ore deposits. Fracture patterns acted as conduits for ore
forming solutions to penetrate host rocks and make excellent targets for future investigation.
To map such fracture patterns, Landsat and Radar are often used. In order to interpret both
structure and hydrother- mal alteration, Landsat Thematic mapper (TM) and “satellite” images
are widely used. Two assemblages of hydrothermal alteration minerals (iron minerals, clays
plus alunite) can be identified by “Digitally processed TM ratio images.” TM ratio images
defined the prospects that are now major copper deposits (Collahuasi, Ujina) in northern Chile
(Sabins, 1999).

Reference
• Geophysiscal Methods in Exploration and Mineral Enviromental Investigation by
Donald B. Hoover, Douglas P. Klein, And David C. Campbell
• Principal of Remote Sensing by Shefali Aggarwal Photogrammetry and Remote
Sensing Division Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehra Dun
• Essentials of Mineral Exploration and Evaluation - Remote Sensing Techniques by
Gandhi, S.M.