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A positive correlation between C/L-band radar backscatter and grain size of coarse alluvial deposits in the Mojave Desert.

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Title: A positive correlation between C/L-band radar backscatter and grain size of coarse alluvial deposits in the Mojave Desert.
Authors: Maue, Anthony D.1,2 Anthony.Maue@viu.ca, Burr, Devon M.3, Thomson, Bradley J.4, Draper, Jake R.1, Jarquin, Manfredo J.5
Source: Geological Society of America Bulletin. Jul2025, Vol. 137 Issue 7/8, p2898-2912. 15p.
Subject Terms: *Backscattering, *Alluvium, *Grain size, *Synthetic aperture radar, *Mie scattering, *Grain
Geographic Terms: Mojave Desert, Death Valley (Calif. & Nev.)
Abstract: Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is a powerful tool for understanding planetary surfaces as the intensity of backscatter depends on the chemical and mineralogical (e.g., dielectric) and physical (e.g., roughness) properties of the surface. For sedimentary deposits in arid to hyperarid deserts imaged at decimeterscale wavelengths, grain-scale properties directly influence the radar backscatter. Thus, fine-scale granulometric information can be assessed through such remote sensing. A Mie scattering model informs our expectation that SAR backscatter should increase with coarser grain size and greater roundness. We tested the response of radar backscatter to grain shape and size sorting based on field measurements near Death Valley, California, USA. Results show a strong positive correlation between C-band (λ = 5.55 cm) and Lband (λ = 23.5 cm) backscatter to grain size over the tested median b-axis size range of 0.5-18.6 cm. Very weak or negligible effects of roundness and sorting are indicated. Endmember measurements of classic roughness parameters (i.e., root mean square height and correlation length) at the study sites also predict the radar backscatter, though with less statistical power. The field results are consistent with a Mie scattering model if the higher backscatter magnitude in the model is explained by the shorter radar wavelength. Additionally, the limited success of the advanced integral equation model highlights the importance of further studying radar backscatter for very rough surfaces with realistic properties. Nonetheless, the strong positive correlation between grain size and radar backscatter supports the remote characterization of sedimentary deposits in arid environments. With SAR-based estimates of grain size, shape, sorting, and the spatial variation of such properties as provided in this work, the style and intensity of geologic processes on remote terrestrial and planetary surfaces can be effectively studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Database: Energy & Power Source
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: enr
DbLabel: Energy & Power Source
An: 186855503
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
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  Data: A positive correlation between C/L-band radar backscatter and grain size of coarse alluvial deposits in the Mojave Desert.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Maue%2C+Anthony+D%2E%22">Maue, Anthony D.</searchLink><relatesTo>1,2</relatesTo><i> Anthony.Maue@viu.ca</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Burr%2C+Devon+M%2E%22">Burr, Devon M.</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Thomson%2C+Bradley+J%2E%22">Thomson, Bradley J.</searchLink><relatesTo>4</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Draper%2C+Jake+R%2E%22">Draper, Jake R.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jarquin%2C+Manfredo+J%2E%22">Jarquin, Manfredo J.</searchLink><relatesTo>5</relatesTo>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Geological+Society+of+America+Bulletin%22">Geological Society of America Bulletin</searchLink>. Jul2025, Vol. 137 Issue 7/8, p2898-2912. 15p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subject Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Backscattering%22">Backscattering</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Alluvium%22">Alluvium</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Grain+size%22">Grain size</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Synthetic+aperture+radar%22">Synthetic aperture radar</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mie+scattering%22">Mie scattering</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Grain%22">Grain</searchLink>
– Name: SubjectGeographic
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mojave+Desert%22">Mojave Desert</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Death+Valley+%28Calif%2E+%26+Nev%2E%29%22">Death Valley (Calif. & Nev.)</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is a powerful tool for understanding planetary surfaces as the intensity of backscatter depends on the chemical and mineralogical (e.g., dielectric) and physical (e.g., roughness) properties of the surface. For sedimentary deposits in arid to hyperarid deserts imaged at decimeterscale wavelengths, grain-scale properties directly influence the radar backscatter. Thus, fine-scale granulometric information can be assessed through such remote sensing. A Mie scattering model informs our expectation that SAR backscatter should increase with coarser grain size and greater roundness. We tested the response of radar backscatter to grain shape and size sorting based on field measurements near Death Valley, California, USA. Results show a strong positive correlation between C-band (λ = 5.55 cm) and Lband (λ = 23.5 cm) backscatter to grain size over the tested median b-axis size range of 0.5-18.6 cm. Very weak or negligible effects of roundness and sorting are indicated. Endmember measurements of classic roughness parameters (i.e., root mean square height and correlation length) at the study sites also predict the radar backscatter, though with less statistical power. The field results are consistent with a Mie scattering model if the higher backscatter magnitude in the model is explained by the shorter radar wavelength. Additionally, the limited success of the advanced integral equation model highlights the importance of further studying radar backscatter for very rough surfaces with realistic properties. Nonetheless, the strong positive correlation between grain size and radar backscatter supports the remote characterization of sedimentary deposits in arid environments. With SAR-based estimates of grain size, shape, sorting, and the spatial variation of such properties as provided in this work, the style and intensity of geologic processes on remote terrestrial and planetary surfaces can be effectively studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=enr&AN=186855503
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1130/B37653.1
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 15
        StartPage: 2898
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Backscattering
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Alluvium
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Grain size
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Synthetic aperture radar
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mie scattering
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Grain
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mojave Desert
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Death Valley (Calif. & Nev.)
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: A positive correlation between C/L-band radar backscatter and grain size of coarse alluvial deposits in the Mojave Desert.
        Type: main
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      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Maue, Anthony D.
      – PersonEntity:
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            NameFull: Burr, Devon M.
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            NameFull: Thomson, Bradley J.
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            NameFull: Draper, Jake R.
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            NameFull: Jarquin, Manfredo J.
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          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 07
              Text: Jul2025
              Type: published
              Y: 2025
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              Value: 137
            – Type: issue
              Value: 7/8
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Geological Society of America Bulletin
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