Hyperspectral detection of arable crop stress associated with buried gas pipeline soil disturbance

Abstract

Field spectroscopy of a range of arable crop types was acquired at selected transects perpendicular to a stretch of buried gas pipeline in Aberdeenshire. Spectral absorption and reflectance features are examined for differences between locations of soil disturbance associated with the pipeline and locations away from the pipeline. A suite of hyperspectral methods are evaluated, including continuum removal, band ratios and derivative analysis. The objective to determine the most effective method(s) of detecting subtle vegetation stress features associated with pipeline soil disturbance. Results suggest that band ratios and continuum removal of the chlorophyll absorption feature were the most effective methods of detecting above pipeline vegetation stress. Smith et al.’s (2004) 725:702 nm ratio exhibited lower values in close proximity to the pipeline, which intimates its transferability to heterogeneous field conditions. The chlorophyll absorption feature increased in depth with distance from the pipeline, particularly at waterlogged sites.