This dataset contains measurements of L-band brightness temperature by an ELBARA-III microwave radiometer in horizontal and vertical polarization, profile soil moisture and soil temperature, turbulent heat fluxes, and meteorological data from the beginning of 2016 till August 2019, while the experiment is still continuing. Auxiliary vegetation and soil texture information collected in dedicated campaigns are also reported. This dataset can be used to validate the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) and Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite based observations and retrievals, verify radiative transfer model assumptions and validate land surface model and reanalysis outputs, retrieve soil properties, as well as to quantify land-atmosphere exchanges of energy, water and carbon and help to reduce discrepancies and uncertainties in current Earth System Models (ESM) parameterizations. ELBARA-III horizontal and vertical brightness temperature are computed from measured radiometer voltages and calibrated internal noise temperatures. The data is reliable, and its quality is evaluated by 1) Perform ‘histogram test’ on the voltage samples (raw-data) of the detector output at sampling frequency of 800 Hz. Statistics of the histogram test showed no non-Gaussian Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) were found when ELBAR-III was operated. 2) Check the voltages at the antenna ports measured during sky measurements. Results showed close values. 3) Check the instrument internal temperature, active cold source temperature and ambient temperature. 3) Analysis the angular behaviour of the processed brightness temperatures. -Temporal resolution: 30 minutes -Spatial resolution: incident angle of observation ranges from 40° to 70° in step of 5°. The area of footprint ranges between 3.31 m^2 and 43.64 m^2 -Accuracy of Measurement: Brightness temperature, 1 K; Soil moisture, 0.001 m^3 m^-3; Soil temperature, 0.1 °C -Unit: Brightness temperature, K; Soil moisture, m^3 m^-3; Soil temperature, °C/K
Bob Su, WEN Jun
Snow pits were observed daily at Altay base station（lon：88.07、lat: 44.73） from November 27, 2015 to March 26, 2016. Parameters include: snow stratification, stratification thickness, density, particle size, temperature. The frequency of observation was daily. The particle size was observed by a microscope with camera, the density was observed by snowfork, snow shovel and Snow Cone, and the temperature was automatically observed by temperature sensor. The observation time was 8:00-10:100 am local time. The snow particle size is observed according to the natural stratification of snow. The snow particles of each layer are collected, and at least 2 photos are taken. The long axis and short axis of at least 10 groups of particles are measured by corresponding software. Unit: mm. The density was observed at equal intervals, snowfork every 5 cm, snow shovel every 10 cm, snow cone to observe the density of the whole snow layer, and the density of each layer was observed three times. The unit is g / cm3. The height of temperature observation is 0cm, 5cm, 10cm, 15cm, 25cm, 35cm, 45cm, 55cm. The recording frequency was once every 1 minute. The unit is OC.
DAI Liyun
The dataset of ground truth measurements for snow synchronizing with the airborne microwave radiometers (K&Ka bands) mission was obtained in the Binggou watershed foci experimental area on Mar. 30, 2008. Those provide reliable data for retrieval of snow parameters and properties, especially for dry and wet snow identification. Observation items included: (1) Snow density, snow complex permittivity, snow volumetric moisture and snow gravimetric moisture by the snowfork in BG-A; (2) Snow parameters including snow depth, the snow surface temperature synchronizing with the airborne microwave radiometers (K&Ka bands), the snow layer temperature, the snow grain size and snow density in BG-A (10 points), BG-B (6 points), BG-F (12 points), BG-H (21 points) and BG-I (20 points); For each snow pit, the snowpack was divided into several layers with 10-cm intervals of snow depth. The layer depth (by the ruler), the snow grain size (by the handheld microscope), snow density (by the cutting ring) and the snow temperature (by the probe thermometer) were obtained at each snow pit. Two files including raw data and the preprocessed data were archived.
GE Chunmei, GU Juan, HAO Xiaohua, MA Mingguo, WANG Jianhua, WANG Xufeng, LI Hua, CHE Tao
The dataset of ground truth measurements synchronizing with Envisat ASAR was obtained in No.2 quadrate of the A'rou foci experimental area on Oct. 17, 2007 during the pre-observation period. The Envisat ASAR data were in AP mode and VV/VH polarization combinations, and the overpass time was approximately at 23:04 BJT. The quadrate was divided into 3×3 subsites, with each one spanning a 30×30 m2 plot. 25 sampling points were chosen, including centers and corners of each subsites. Simultaneous with the satellite overpass, numerous ground data were collected, soil volumetric moisture by ML2X; soil volumetric moisture, soil conductivity, soil temperature, and the real part of soil complex permittivity by WET soil moisture sensor; the surface radiative temperature by the hand-held infrared thermometer; soil gravimetric moisture, volumetric moisture, and soil bulk density after drying by the cutting ring (100cm^3). Meanwhile, vegetation parameters as height, coverage and water content were also observed. Surface roughness was detailed in the "WATER: Surface roughness dataset in the A'rou foci experimental area". Those provide reliable ground data for retrieval and validation of soil moisture and freeze/thaw status from active remote sensing approaches.
BAI Yunjie, HAO Xiaohua, JIN Rui, LI Xin,
The dataset of fresh snow properties observations was obtained at the temporary sampling plot in the Qilian county on Mar. 20, 2008. Those provide reliable data for retrieval of snow parameters from remote sensing approaches. Observation items included: (1) Snow parameters such as snow depth, snow grain size by the handheld microscope, and snow density by the snow shovel (2) Fresh snow albedo by the total radiometer (3) Fresh snow spectrum by ASD Two files including raw data and preprocessed data were archived.
GE Chunmei, WANG Xufeng,
The dataset of ground truth measurements for snow synchronizing with Envisat ASAR was obtained in the Binggou watershed foci experimental area on Mar. 15, 2008. The Envisat ASAR data were acquired in AP mode and VV/VH polarization combinations, and the overpass time was approximately at 11:34 BJT. Observation items included: (1) Snow density, snow complex permittivity, snow volumetric moisture and snow gravimetric moisture by the snowfork in BG-B, BG-D, BG-E and BG-F; (2) Snow parameters including the snow surface temperature and the snow-soil interface temperature by the handheld infrared thermometer, the snow layer temperature by the probe thermometer, the snow grain size by the handheld microscope, snow density by the aluminum case, snow depth by the ruler, and the snow surface temperature synchronizing with ASAR in BG-H, BG-D, BG-E and BG-F; (3) The snow spectrum by the portable ASD (Xinjiang Meteorological Administration) synchronizing with ASAR in BG-H15; the major and minor axis and shape of the snow layer grain through the self-made snow sieve. Two files including raw data and the preprocessed data were archived.
BAI Yunjie, GE Chunmei, HAO Xiaohua, WANG Xufeng, MA Mingguo,
The dataset of ground truth measurements for snow synchronizing with EO-1 Hyperion and Landsat TM was obtained in the Binggou watershed foci experimental area on Mar. 17, 2008. Observation items included: (1) Snow parameters as snow depth by the ruler, the snow layer temperature by the probe thermometer, the snow grain size by the handheld microscope, the snow surface temperature and the snow-soil interface temperature by the handheld infrared thermometer simultaneous with the satellite in BG-A, BG-E, BG-F and BG-H. (2) Snow density, snow complex permittivity, snow volumetric moisture and snow gravimetric moisture by the Snowfork in BG-A, BG-E and BG-H. Besides, 25-hour fixed-point continuous observation was carried out at the Binggou cold region hydrometerological station. (3) The snow spectrum by ASD (Xinjiang Meteorological Administration) (4) Snow albedo by the total radiometer Two files including raw data and preprocessed data were archived.
BAI Yunjie, GE Chunmei, HAO Xiaohua, WANG Xufeng, MA Mingguo,
The dataset of snow spectral reflectance observations was obtained in the Binggou watershed foci experimental area from Dec. 5 to Dec. 15, 2007 during the pre-observation period. The aims of the measurements were to verify feasibility of the predetermined observation schemes and to collect data for retrieval from remote sensing approaches. All data were acquired by ASD spectrometer from Xinjiang Meteorological Administration. Observation items included: (1) Random observations on snow spectrum in the chosen snowpack at the Binggou cold region hydrometeorological station on Dec. 5, 6 and 7, 2007 (2) Snow spectrum observations in BG-A simultaneous with MODIS and Terra MISR on Dec. 10, 2007 (3) The pure and the mixed snow pixel spectrum in BG-A on Dec. 15, 2007 (4) Multi-angle snow spectrum in the chosen snowpack in BG-A on Dec. 15, 2007 Seven subfolders including raw data and pre-processed data are named after the acquisition time, Dec. 5, 2007, Dec. 6, 2007, Dec. 7, 2007, Dec. 10, 2007, Dec. 13, 2007, Dec. 15, 2007 and Dec. 15, 2007, respectively.
The dataset of ground truth measurements for snow synchronizing with the airborne PHI mission was obtained in the Binggou watershed foci experimental area on Mar. 24, 2008. Observation items included: (1) Snow density, snow complex permittivity, snow volumetric moisture and snow gravimetric moisture by the Snowfork in BG-A. (2) Snow parameters as the snow surface temperature by the handheld infrared thermometer, the snow layer temperature by the probe thermometer, the snow grain size by the handheld microscope, and snow density by the aluminum case in BG-A1, BG-A2, BG-B, BG-D, BG-E and BG-F5 (three sampling units each) from 11:11-12:35 (BJT) with the airplane overpass. 64 points were selected by four groups. (3) Snow albedo by the total radiometer in BG-A. (4) The snow spectrum by ASD (Xinjiang Meteorological Administration) in BG-A11 Two files including raw data and preprocessed data were archived.
GE Chunmei, GU Juan, HAO Xiaohua, MA Mingguo, WANG Jianhua, WANG Xufeng, LI Hua,
The dataset of ground truth measurements for snow was obtained, synchronizing with airborne microwave radiometers (K&Ka bands) mission in the Binggou watershed foci experimental area on Mar. 29, 2008. Those provide reliable ground data for retrieval of snow properties and parameters, especially snow depth and snow water equivalent study. Observation items include (1) snow density, snow complex permittivity, snow volumetric moisture and snow gravimetric moisture by the snowfork in BG-A; (2) snow parameters in BG-A (18 points), BG-B (20 points), BG-EF (20 points) and BG-I (20 points): snow depth by the ruler, the snow temperature (mean of two measurements) by the probe thermometer, snow grain size by the handheld microscope, snow density by the cutting ring for each snow layer, and the snow surface temperature and the snow-soil interface temperature by the handheld infrared thermometer. For each snow pit, the snowpack was divided into several layers with 10-cm intervals of snow depth. Two files including raw data and pre-processed data were archived.
GE Chunmei, GU Juan, HAO Xiaohua, MA Mingguo, WANG Xufeng,
The dataset of snow properties measured by the Snowfork was obtained in the Binggou watershed foci experimental area from Mar. 10 to 30, 2008, in cooperation with simultaneous airborne, satellite-borne and ground-based remote sensing experiments and other control experiments. Observation items included (1) physical quantities by direct observations: resonant frequency, the rate of attenuation and 3db bandwidth; (2) physical quantities by indirect observations: snow density, snow complex permittivity (the real part and the imaginary part), snow volumetric moisture and snow gravimetric moisture. 13 files are archived, and the user guide of the sampling plot and observation background is included too.
HAO Xiaohua,
The dataset of ground-based microwave scatterometer and snow parameter observations was obtained in the Binggou watershed experimental area on Mar. 16, 2008. Observation items included: (1) Snow backscattering coefficient by the scatterometer (2) Snow parameters as the snow surface temperature by the probe thermometer, snow grain size by the handheld microscope, snow density by the snow shovel, the snow surface temperature and the snow-soil interface temperature by the handheld infrared thermometer in BG-I. (3) The snow spectrum by the portable ASD (Xinjiang Meteorological Administration) at the Dadongshu mountain pass; the major and minor axis and shape of the snow layer grain through the snow sieve. (4) Snow albedo by the total radiometer from 10:29 to 15:00 (5) Snow density, snow complex permittivity, snow volumetric moisture and snow gravimetric moisture by the Snowfork at the Dadongshu mountain pass Two subfolders including raw data and preprocessed data were archived.
WANG Xufeng, MA Mingguo,
The dataset of ground truth measurements for snow synchronizing with MODIS was obtained in the Binggou watershed foci experimental area on Mar. 14, 2008. Those provide reliable data for snow-cover extent mapping and the retrieval of the snow surface temperature from MODIS remote sensing approaches. Observation items included: (1) Snow parameters including the snow surface temperature, the snow-soil interface temperature, the land surface (ground surface) temperature by the handheld infrared thermometer, the snow layer temperature by the probe thermometer, snow depth by the ruler, snow density by the snow shovel, the snow grain size by the handheld microscope and the snow surface temperature synchronizing with MODIS. (2) Snow albedo by the total radiometer in BG-A from 11:10-13:24 on Mar. 14, 2008. (3) The snow spectrum by the portable ASD (Xinjiang Meteorological Administration) synchronizing with MODIS in BG-A and BG-I. Two files including raw data and the preprocessed data were archived.
GE Chunmei, GU Juan, HAO Xiaohua, WANG Xufeng, MA Mingguo,
The dataset of snow properties measured by the Snowfork was obtained in the Binggou watershed foci experimental area from Dec. 5-16 2007, during the pre-observation period. The aims of the measurements were to verify applicability of the instruments and to acquire snow parameters for simultaneous airborne, satellite-borne and ground-based remote sensing experiments and other control experiments. Observation items included: (1) physical quantities by direct observations: resonant frequency, the rate of attenuation and 3db bandwidth (2) physical quantities by indirect observations: snow density, snow complex permittivity (the real part and the imaginary part), snow volumetric moisture and snow gravimetric moisture. Five files including raw data and processed data are kept, data by the Snowfork on Dec 5, data by BG-A MODIS on Dec 6 and 7, data in BG-B, BG-C, BG-D and BG-E on Dec 10, and data in BG-D with the microwave radiometer on Dec 14 and 16.
HAO Xiaohua,
The dataset of ground truth measurements synchronizing with Envisat ASAR was obtained in No. 1 and 2 quadrates of the A'rou foci experimental area on Oct. 18, 2007 during the pre-observation period. The Envisat ASAR data were in AP mode and VV/VH polarization combinations, and the overpass time was approximately at 11:17 BJT. Both the quadrates were divided into 3×3 subsites, with each one spanning a 30×30 m2 plot. 25 sampling points were chosen, including centers and corners of each subsites. Simultaneous with the satellite overpass, numerous ground data were collected, soil volumetric moisture, soil conductivity, the soil temperature, and the real part of soil complex permittivity by the WET soil moisture sensor; the surface radiative temperature by the hand-held infrared thermometer; soil gravimetric moisture, volumetric moisture, and soil bulk density after drying by the cutting ring (100cm^3). Meanwhile, vegetation parameters as height, coverage and water content were also observed. Surface roughness was detailed in the "WATER: Surface roughness dataset in the A'rou foci experimental area". Those provide reliable ground data for retrieval and validation of soil moisture and freeze/thaw status from active remote sensing approaches.
BAI Yunjie, HAO Xiaohua, JIN Rui, LI Xin,
The dataset of ground truth measurements for snow synchronizing with EO-1 Hyperion was obtained in the Binggou watershed foci experimental area on Mar. 22, 2008. Those provide reliable data for retrieval of snow parameters from remote sensing approaches. Observation items included: (1) snow surface emissivity by the portable emissivity determinator near the Binggou cold region hydrometerological station; (2) snow density, snow complex permittivity, snow volumetric moisture and snow gravimetric moisture by the snowfork in BG-A from 11:20-13:53 (BJT) on Mar. 2, 2008; (3) snow parameters in BG-A, BG-B, BG-C, BG-D, BG-E and BG-F, and variables including the snow layer temperature by the probe thermometer, the snow grain size by the handheld microscope, snow density by the aluminum case and the snow surface temperature and the snow-soil interface temperature by the handheld infrared thermometer simultaneous with the satellite; (4) the land surface infrared temperature in BG-D, BG-E, BG-B and BG-F during the airborne mission; (5) fresh snow albedo by the total radiometer east to A2; (6) snow spectrum by the portable ASD from Xinjiang Meteorological Administration and Nanjing University, GPS recordings enclosed. Two files including raw data and preprocessed data were archived.
GE Chunmei, GU Juan, HAO Xiaohua, HUANG Chunlin, WANG Xufeng, WU Lizong, MA Mingguo, LI Hua,
The dataset of ground-based RPG-8CH-DP microwave radiometers (6.925H/V, 18.7H/V and 36.5H/V) and ground truth observations for snow was obtained in the Binggou watershed foci experimental area on Mar. 24 (time-continuous from 11:42 to 17:28 BJT) and Mar. 25, 2008 (short-time multi-angle observations). A gentle slope of 10° was chosen as the observation site, where there was firn snow and the snow layer and the ice layer appeared alternately. The radiometer beam was set from -20° to -55°, with the steplength 5°. Observation items included: (1) The brightness temperature by the microwave radiometer in .BRT and .txt (the ASCII format). Each row in .txt was listed by year, month, date, hour, minute, second, 6.925GHz (h), 6.925GHz (v), 10.65GHz (h), 10.65GHz (v) , 18.7GHz (h), 18.7GHz (v), 36.5GHz (h), 36.5GHz (v), the elevation angle, and the azimuth angle. Values for 6.925GHz and 10.65GHz were zero due to the absence of these two radiometers. (2) Snow parameters including the snow profile temperature by the probe thermometer and the handheld infrared thermometer, the snow grain size by the handheld microscope, snow moisture, snow density, and snow permittivity by the snow fork. Five subfolders are archived, including the brightness temperature and the profiles of liquid water content, the snow grain size, snow density and the snow temperature.
ZHANG Zhiyu, ZHAO Shaojie, ZHANG Zhiyu
