2012 AGU Chapman Conference on Remote Sensing of the ...

correct or account for these issues (e.g. correction forazimuthal anisotropy, wet correction, surface state flag) havebeen developed and implemented. Nevertheless someunresolved problems still persist (e.g. volume scatteringeffects in arid regions) and further research is required inorder to fully understand all effects. Thus, validating andcomparing the METOP ASCAT surface soil moistureretrieval results with field measurements, modelled soilmoisture or other satellite-based products is an importantstep to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the TUWien model. This study presents recent improvements withthe model, current challenges, as well as comparisons withcurrent satellite derived SMOS, AMSR-E and SMALT soilmoisture products.www.ipf.tuwien.ac.atHall, Amanda C.Observing the Amazon Floodplain with RemoteSensing: ICESat, Radar Altimetry and DGPSHall, Amanda C. 1 ; Schumann, Guy 1 ; Bamber, Jonathan 1 ;Baugh, Calum 1 ; Bates, Paul 11. Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol,United KingdomThe behaviour of water fluxes in the Amazon floodplainis still poorly understood. With few in-situ gauging stations,and with the ones that are present being on the mainchannel, understanding the flow dynamics of the floodplainis difficult. This study uses the ICESat (Ice, Cloud and landElevation Satellite) sensor GLAS (Geoscience Laser AltimeterSystem) to observe changes in water levels in the floodplain.Complementing this data with radar altimetry, such asTOPEX/Poseidon, will enable us to gain an insight into thecomplex connectivity of the floodplain and its water fluxes.Using DGPS and flow data collected in the field during thesummer of this year will also provide in-situ data to groundtruth these satellite observations. Upon completing this, theresults will be used to assess the results of hydrodynamicsimulations in this area. From comparison with the sparseobservations presently available within the floodplain,current modelling efforts are still unable to simulatefloodplain flow complexity. By using remote sensing acomprehensive data set of floodplain water dynamics can bebuilt up. Investigating lake water levels over several years andcomparing this with nearby lakes, floodplain channels andthe main channel will provide us with unprecedented detail,aiding us in understanding the dynamics of the Amazonfloodplain inundation process.Hauzenberger, Barbara M.Recent glacier changes in the Trans-Alai Mountains(Kyrgyzstan/Tajikistan) derived from remotesensing dataHauzenberger, Barbara M. 1 ; Naz, Bibi S. 2 ; Crawford, MelbaM. 3 ; Bowling, Laura C. 4 ; Harbor, Jonathan M. 11. Earth and Atmosperic Sciences, Purdue University, WestLafayette, IN, USA2. Civil and Environmental Engineering, University ofWashington, Seattle, WA, USA3. College of Agriculture Administration, Purdue University,West Lafayette, IN, USA4. Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USAMountain glacier meltwater runoff is an importantwater source in parts of Central Asia that experienceseasonal summer drying. Changes in glacial meltwatersupply may lead to reduced water availability that will havesignificant societal and ecological impacts. Monitoringrecent glacier changes is a powerful tool to provide data thatare important for modeling and assessing future wateravailability. In this study, we focus on the Trans-AlaiMountains which are located at the Kyrgyz and Tajik borderand are part of the northern Pamir. Glacial meltwaterstreams from the Trans-Alai Mountains drain bothnorthwards to Kyrgyzstan and southwards to Tajikistan. Fewdetailed studies have been carried out for this remote area todate. For glacier delineation monitoring, we use Landsatimages from the end of melting season 1975, 1998, 2006 and2011. The dataset is completed by ASTER images and adigital elevation model based on Shuttle Radar TopographyMission (SRTM data). The aim is not only to map changes inglacier terminus extent, but also to quantify the proportionof debris covered ice, bare ice and snow cover for each glacierand period. Future work will use these results as a keycomponent for hydrological modeling. Initial results revealthe presence of surging glaciers in the study area, whichprovides an additional important component to glacierbehavior that needs to be included in estimates of thehydrologic impacts of future glacier changes.Hinkelman, Laura M.Use of Satellite-Based Surface Radiative Fluxes toImprove Snowmelt ModelingHinkelman, Laura M. 1 ; Lundquist, Jessica 2 ; Pinker, Rachel T. 31. Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere andOcean, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA3. Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science,University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USASnow processes are important to streamflow, surfacewater availability, groundwater recharge, evapotranspiration,and other aspects of the water cycle. Models that accuratelyrepresent both the timing and spatial distribution ofsnowmelt are essential for improving our understanding of72