Mineral mapping for environmental hazards assessment using AVIRIS data, Leadville, Colorado, USA

Conference · Thu Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996

OSTI ID:263437

Kruse, F A ^[1]

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1. Analytical Imaging and Geophysics LLC, Louisville, CO (United States)

Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data acquired during October 1994 and July 1995 were used to map minerals in the Leadville Mining District, Colorado, USA. The 1994 radiance data were converted to apparent reflectance using a radiative-transfer-model-based atmospheric correction (ATREM). The 1995 data were calibrated by the U.S. Geological Survey using a combination of the radiative transfer model and ground reflectance measurements. A minimum noise fraction (MNF) transformation was performed to determine the inherent dimensionality of the AVIRIS data. Spectral end members were located using the Pixel Purity Index and n-dimensional geometric visualization and analysis were used to determine mineralogical and vegetation end members. Comparison to a spectral library was used to identify minerals. The end members identified and mapped using the above process include goethite/jarosite, hematite, calcite, muscovite (illite), kaolinite, and montmorillonite, as well as several green vegetation types, dry vegetation, snow, and man-made materials. Numerous areas with high clay and/or illite concentrations (+- Fe-Oxides) were identified. Many of the muscovite/illite locations correspond to known tailings areas. Dark areas of smelter slag were also characterized and mapped. The AVIRIS data provide a detailed mineral map that can be used to assess the distribution of potential hazardous materials and to act as a guide for detailed selective sampling. This research demonstrates that imaging spectrometry can be used to rapidly evaluate the impact of mining for relatively large areas without a priori knowledge of ground conditions.

• OSTI ID: 263437
• Report Number(s): CONF-960203--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
58 GEOSCIENCES
AERIAL SURVEYING
COLORADO
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
INFRARED SPECTROMETERS
MAPPING
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINING
MONITORING
REMOTE SENSING