sUAS thermal infrared stream characterization

Knowledge graph centered on sUAS thermal infrared stream characterization with 72 nodes and 217 connections. Top connected: Gothic, Crested Butte, East River, Winter snowpack, Organic matter decomposition.

Method synopsis

Use of small unoccupied aircraft systems with thermal infrared cameras to identify groundwater discharge zones in stream corridors through temperature contrast detection. Real-time thermal data visualization enables efficient location of preferential discharge areas.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 4 papers using this protocol.

Procedure as described in the canonical source

Steps below were extracted from the paper that introduces this protocol — Efficient hydrogeological characterization of remote stream corridors using drones (2018), Hydrological Processes. doi 10.1002/hyp.13332. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Deploy sUAS from launch site
   Deployed a multi-rotor sUAS (3D Robotics Solo) from the northern bank of Oh-Be-Joyful Creek, adjacent to the Peeler fault zone. The launch site was approximately 2.4 km from the lower parking area using a rough path that climbs approximately 130 m in elevation.
   Quantities: One sUAS deployment, 2.4 km distance from parking area, 130 m elevation climbDuration: Less than 45 minutes total flight timeConditions: August 17, 2017, afternoon data collection in mid-August with mixed stream temperatures approaching 15°C and expected groundwater discharge temperatures less than approximately 8°C
   Equipment: 3D Robotics Solo, multi-rotor sUAS
2. Collect thermal infrared data
   TIR data were collected using a gimbal-mounted FLIR VUE Pro R 13mm camera that can store color video relative to a colorbar scale, or radiometric still images of apparent temperature. Data stream was visible on the sUAS hand controller during flights for real-time identification of potential groundwater discharge zones when they were either the coldest or warmest features along the river corridor.
   Quantities: Thermal data along several hundred meters of stream corridorDuration: Part of the 45-minute total flight timeConditions: Video colorbar set to autoscale during afternoon flights when sufficient thermal contrast existed
   Equipment: FLIR VUE Pro R 13mm camera, gimbal mount, sUAS hand controller

Typical Equipment

• 3D Robotics Solo
• FLIR VUE Pro R 13mm camera
• gimbal mount
• sUAS hand controller

Output Measurements

• thermal imagery
• apparent temperature maps
• groundwater discharge zone locations

Papers Using This Protocol (4)

Species Studied With This Protocol

Places Where Used