Mapping of salt-affected soils using TM images

• Published in: International journal of remote sensing Vol. 28; no. 12; pp. 2713 - 2722
• Main Authors: García Rodríguez, P., Pérez González, Ma E., Guerra Zaballos, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 01.01.2007; Taylor and Francis
• Subjects: Applied geophysics; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Exact sciences and technology; Internal geophysics; Pollution, environment geology; Iberian Peninsula; Southern Europe; Spain; risk assessment; floods; components; ground water; vegetation; exhibits; aquifers; water content; soils; salinity; Thematic Mapper; salt; Europe; Space remote sensing; Landsat; topography; water supply; cartography; classification; chemically precipitated rocks; evaporites; salinization; sedimentary rocks; false-color imagery; sediments
• ISSN: 0143-1161; 1366-5901
• DOI: 10.1080/01431160600928658

Landsat images supply significant information on the different aspects of the physical environment necessary to determine the distribution of salty soils. This work centres on the La Mancha area (Central Spain) which, due to its flat topography, exhibits ideal conditions to show surface and groundwater movement, as well as sediment distribution. Combination of these factors is essential for development. The main goal of this study is to derive information on the distribution of salt-affected soils, as well as the area subject to flood risk. Multitemporal Landsat TM images selected from the 1990s have been used for this purpose. TM images are useful for delineation of mesozoic sediments rich in salts and/or areas with high humidity content. These images have been geo-referenced to the UTM coordinate system and have been digitally enhanced. Principal components, NDVI and supervised classification were computed. Therefore, it is quite possible to predict with a high degree of probability the development of saline soils, but their precise classification is not always possible, owing to the fact that they are usually associated with other soil groups: calcisols, regosols, luvisols and kastanozems. Salt-affected soils have been found to be associated with clayish mesozoic sediments, hollows, flood plain area and subsurface and groundwater movements. Complementary fieldwork is necessary in order to confirm digital values.