Polarization spectral characteristics of soil surface moisture in the mid-wave infrared range

Abstract

The surfaces of soil with different moisture contents had been surveyed by the spectral polarimetry in the midw ave infrared range.The results indicate that the thermal radiation from the w ater-bearing soil surface is almost unpolarized,and the polarization characteristic of the soil surface is mainly caused by the reflection of solar light.Especially in the strong sunshine spectral range,the degree of polarization increases monotonically w ith the increase of soil moisture.This quantitative relationship provides basis for soil moisture monitoring by the remote sensing of the polarization of light in the mid-w ave infrared range.