Single-element Anomaly Mapping from Stream Sediment Geochemical Landscapes Aided by Digital Terrain Analysis

The identification of anomalies within stream sediment geochemical data is one of the fastest developing areas in mineral exploration.The various means used to achieve this objective make use of either continuous or discrete field models of stream sediment geochemical data.To map anomalies in a discrete field model of such data,two corrections are required:background correction and downstream dilution correction.Topography and geomorphology are important factors in variations of element content in stream sediments.However,few studies have considered,through the use of digital terrain analysis,the influence of geomorphic features in downstream dilution correction of stream sediment geochemical data.This study proposes and demonstrates an improvement to the traditional downstream dilution correction equation,based on the use of digital terrain analysis to map single-element anomalies in stream sediment geochemical landscapes.Moreover,this study compares the results of analyses using discrete and continuous field models of stream sediment geochemical data from the Xincang area,Tibet.The efficiency of the proposed methodology was validated against known mineral occurrences.The results indicate that catchment-based analysis outperforms interpolation-based analysis of stream sediment geochemical data for anomaly mapping.Meanwhile,the proposed modified downstream dilution correction equation proved more effective than the original equation.However,further testing of this modified downstream dilution correction is needed in other areas,in order to investigate its efficiency further.

Three-Dimensional TIN Algorithm for Digital Terrain Modeling

The problem of taking an unorganized point cloud in 3D space and fitting a polyhedral surface to those points is both important and difficult. Aiming at increasing applications of full three dimensional digital terrain surface modeling, a new algorithm for the automatic generation of three dimensional triangulated irregular network from a point cloud is pro- posed. Based on the local topological consistency test, a combined algorithm of constrained 3D Delaunay triangulation and region-growing is extended to ensure topologically correct reconstruction. This paper also introduced an efficient neighbor- ing triangle location method by making full use of the surface normal information. Experimental results prove that this algo- rithm can efficiently obtain the most reasonable reconstructed mesh surface with arbitrary topology, wherein the automati- cally reconstructed surface has only small topological difference from the true surface. This algorithm has potential applica- tions to virtual environments, computer vision, and so on.

Underwater Digital Terrain Model with GPS-aided High-resolution Profile-scan Sonar Images

The whole procedures of underwater digital terrain model (DTM) were presented by building with the global positioning system (GPS) aided high-resolution profile-scan sonar images.The algorithm regards the digital image scanned in a cycle as the raw data.First the label rings are detected with the improved Hough transform (HT) method and followed by curve-fitting for accurate location;then the most probable window for each ping is detected with weighted neighborhood gray-level co-occurrence matrix;and finally the DTM is built by integrating the GPS data with sonar data for 3D visualization.The case of an underwater trench for immersed tube road tunnel is illustrated.

Geomorphology-oriented digital terrain analysis:Progress and perspectives

Digital terrain analysis(DTA)is one of the most important contents in the research of geographical information science(GIS).However,on the basis of the digital elevation model(DEM),many problems exist in the current research of DTA in geomorphological studies.For instance,the current DTA research appears to be focused more on morphology,phenomenon,and modern surface rather than mechanism,process,and underlying terrain.The current DTA research needs to be urgently transformed from the study of landform morphology to one focusing on landform process and mechanism.On this basis,this study summarizes the current research status of geomorphology-oriented DTA and systematically reviews and analyzes the research about the knowledge of geomorphological ontology,terrain modeling,terrain derivative calculation,and terrain analytical methods.With the help of DEM data,DTA research has the advantage of carrying out geomorphological studies from the perspective of surface morphology.However,the study of DTA has inherent defects in terms of data expression and analytic patterns.Thus,breakthroughs in basic theories and key technologies are necessary.Moreover,scholars need to realize that DTA research must be transformed from phenomenon to mechanism,from morphology to process,and from terrain to landform.At present,the research development of earth science has reached the critical stage in which the DTA research should focus more on geomorphological ontology.Consequently,this study proposes several prospects of geomorphology-oriented DTA from the aspects of value-added DEM data model,terrain derivatives and their spatial relations,and macro-terrain analysis.The study of DTA based on DEM is at a critical period along with the issue on whether the current GIS technology can truly support the development of geography.The research idea of geomorphology-oriented DTA is expected to be an important exploration and practice in the field of GIS.

RANDOM TERRAIN MODEL

In order to slove a realistic test problem of TF/TA algorithm, it is necessary to make a discrete terrain model. The model has adjustable roughness parameters so as to test the optimization procedure for different types of terrain. In this paper, an algorithm to generate random terrain data is given.

Underwater Terrain Positioning Method Based on Least Squares Estimation for AUV

To achieve accurate positioning of autonomous underwater vehicles, an appropriate underwater terrain database storage format for underwater terrain-matching positioning is established using multi-beam data as underwater terrainmatching data. An underwater terrain interpolation error compensation method based on fractional Brownian motion is proposed for defects of normal terrain interpolation, and an underwater terrain-matching positioning method based on least squares estimation（LSE） is proposed for correlation analysis of topographic features. The Fisher method is introduced as a secondary criterion for pseudo localization appearing in a topographic features flat area, effectively reducing the impact of pseudo positioning points on matching accuracy and improving the positioning accuracy of terrain flat areas. Simulation experiments based on electronic chart and multi-beam sea trial data show that drift errors of an inertial navigation system can be corrected effectively using the proposed method. The positioning accuracy and practicality are high, satisfying the requirement of underwater accurate positioning.

Stability analysis unit and spatial distribution pattern of the terrain texture in the northern Shaanxi Loess Plateau

Terrain texture analysis is an important method of digital terrain analysis in quantitative geomorphological research and in the exploration of the spatial heterogeneity and autocorrelation of terrain features. However, a major issue often neglected in previous studies is the calculation unit of the terrain texture, that is, the stability analysis unit. As the test size increases, the derived terrain textures become increasingly similar so that their differences can be ignored. The test size of terrain texture is defined as the stability analysis unit. This study randomly selected 48 areas within the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi in China as the study sites and used the gray level co-occurrence matrix to calculate the terrain texture. The stability analysis unit of the terrain texture was then extracted, and its spatial distribution pattern in the Loess Plateau was studiedusing spatial interpolation method. Four terrain texture metrics, i.e., homogeneity, energy, correlation, and contrast, were extracted on the basis of the stability analysis unit, and the spatial variation patterns of these parameters were studied. Results showed that the spatial distribution pattern and the terrain texture metrics reflected a trend of high–low–high from north to south, which correlated with the spatial distribution of the landforms at the Loess Plateau. In addition, the terrain texture measures was significantly correlated with the terrain factors of gully density and slope, and this relationship showed that terrain texture measures based on the stability analysis unit could reflect the basic characteristics of terrain morphology. The stability analysis unit provided a reasonable analytical scale for terrain texture analysis and could be used as a measure of the regional topography to accurately describe basic terrain characteristics.

Uncertainty of Slope Length Derived from Digital Elevation Models of the Loess Plateau, China

Although many studies have investigated slope gradient uncertainty derived from Digital Elevation Models(DEMs), the research concerning slope length uncertainty is far from mature. This discrepancy affects the availability and accuracy of soil erosion as well as hydrological modeling. This study investigates the formation and distribution of existing errors and uncertainties in slope length derivation based on 5-m resolution DEMs of the Loess Plateau in the middle of China. The slope length accuracy in three different landform areas is examined to analyse algorithm effects. The experiments indicate that the accuracy of the flat test area is lower than that of the rougher areas. The value from the specific contributing area(SCA) method is greater than the cumulative slope length(CSL), and the differences between these two methods arise from the shape of the upslope area. The variation of mean slope length derived from various DEM resolutions and landforms. The slope length accuracy decreases with increasing grid size and terrain complexity at the six test sites. A regression model is built to express the relationship of mean slope length with DEM resolution less than 85 m and terrain complexity represented by gully density. The results support the understanding of the slope length accuracy, thereby aiding in the effective evaluation of the modeling effect of surface process.

Three-dimensional calculation of roadway earthwork volume

To solve the inaccuracy problem caused by the two existing methods (averageend-area method and prismoidal method) used for the calculation of roadway earthwork volume, thispaper puts forward a new concept of the 3-dimensional algorithm that takes all the roadway geometricdesign procedures as a kind of geometrical operation between the ground model (original terrainmodel) and the roadway model (designed model) under certain constraints, and then presents acomplete 3-dimensional algorithm of roadway earthwork volume as well as its executable computerprogram. The algorithm benefits from the re-triangulation technique of constrained delaunaytriangulation (CDT), which can yield a true volume value theoretically. Through a number ofpractical testscovering varied intervals between adjacent cross sections, it is proven to possess ahigher accuracy compared with that of traditional methods. All the work involved in this paperindicates that the 3-dimensional calculation of roadway earthwork volumeis feasible, more accurateand should have further application in practice.

The characteristics of gully erosion over rolling hilly black soil areas of Northeast China

In this study,short-term gully retreat was monitored from the active gullies selected in representative black soil area,using differential global positioning system(GPS).With the support of geographic information system(GIS),multi-temporal digital elevation models(DEM) were constructed from the data collected by GPS and used for further analysis.Based on the analysis of multi-temporal DEM,we discussed the erosion-deposition characteristics within gully and a developing model for black soil gully area of Northeast China was proposed.The results are:(1) The analysis of the monitored gully data in 2004 indicated that the retreat of gully head reached more than 10 m,gully area extended 170-400 m2,net gully eroded volume 220-320 m3,and gully erosion modulus 2200-4800 t?km?2?a?1.(2) Compared with the mature gully the initial gully grows rapidly,and its erosion parameters are relatively large.The erosion parameters have not only to do with flow energy,but also with the growth phase.(3) There are significant seasonal differences in gully erosion parameters.The extension of gully area and width dominates in winter and spring without marked net erosion while changes mainly occur in gully head and net erosion in rainy season.(4) It is remarkable for freeze-thaw erosion in the black soil area of NE China.The gully wall of SG2 extended 0.45 m under freeze-thaw effect in 2004,and the distance of gully head retreated maximally 6.4 m.(5) Due to freeze-thaw action and snowmelt,gully is primarily in the interior adjustment process in winter and early spring.There are much more depositions compared with that during rainy season,which can almost happen throughout the gully,while erosion mostly occurs near head,esp.for gullies having a relatively long history of development.On the other hand,the process of energy exchange with exterior dominates in rainy season.It is considered that this cyclic process is an important mechanism for gully growth in high latitude or/and high attitude regions.

Characteristics and influencing factors of proximity distance index on the northern Shaanxi Loess Plateau in China

Topographic feature points and lines are the framework of topography,and their spatial distance relationship is an breakthrough in the study of topographical geometry,internal structure and development level.Proximity distance(PD)is an indicator to describe the distance between the gully source point(GSP)and the watershed boundary.In the upstream catchment area,PDs can be expressed by the streamline proximity distance(SPD),as well as by the horizontal proximity distance(HPD)and the vertical proximity distance(VPD)in the horizontal and vertical dimensions,respectively.The series of indicators(e.g.,SPD,HPD and VPD)are important for quantifying the geomorphological development process of a loess basin because of the headward erosion of loess gullies.In this study,the digital elevation model data with 5 m resolution and a digital topographic analysis method are used for the statistical analyses of the SPD,VPD and HPD in 50 sample areas of 6 geomorphic types in the Loess Plateau of northern Shaanxi.The spatial characteristics and the influencing factors are also analysed.Results show that:1)Central tendencies for the HPDs and the VPDs for the whole study area and the six typical loess landforms are evident.2)Spatial patterns of the HPDs and the VPDs exhibit evident trends and zonal distributions over the whole study area.3)The HPDs have a strong positive correlation with gully density(GD)and hypsometric integral.The VPDs also correlates with GD to an extent.Vegetation cover,mean annual precipitation and loess thickness have stronger effects on the VPD than on the HPD.

Applications of RS, GPS and GIS to Forest Management in China

Applications of remote sensing (RS), global positioning system (GPS), geographic information system (GIS) and combination of three-S techniques in the forest management are introduced. It indicates that, with the quickly improvement of the computer technique, the three-S system will become a very important part of the forestry management system.

An integrated multiscale approach for characterization of rock masses subjected to tunnel excavation

The design of tunnels must be conducted based on the knowledge of the territory. The longer the structure, the larger the area to be investigated, and the greater the number of surveys and tests to be performed in order to thoroughly examine all the relevant features. Therefore, optimization of the investigation process is strongly required to obtain complete and reliable data for the design of the infrastructure. The fast development of remote sensing technologies and the affordability of their products have contributed to proving their benefits as supports for investigation, encouraging the spreading of automatic or semi-automatic methods for regional scale surveys. Similarly, considering the scale of the rock outcrop, photogrammetric and laser scanner techniques are well-established techniques for representing geometrical features of rock masses, and the benefits of non-contact surveys in terms of safety and time consumption are acknowledged. Unfortunately, in most cases, data obtained at different scales of investigations are only partially integrated or compared, probably due to the missing exchange of knowledge among experts of different fields（e.g. geologists and geotechnical engineers）. The authors,after experiencing such a lack of connection among the results of different surveys concerning tunnels,propose a multiscale approach for the optimization of the investigation process, starting from the regional scale, to obtain the data that can be useful not only for planning more detailed surveys in a preliminary phase, but also for making previsions on the discontinuity sets that are present in the rock masses subjected to excavations. A methodological process is proposed and illustrated by means of a case study. Preliminary results are discussed to highlight the potentiality of this method and its limitations.

THE COMPILATION OF A DTM AND A NEW SATELLITE IMAGE MAP FOR KING GEORGE ISLAND,ANTARCTICA

An improved topographic database for King George Island,one of the most frequently visited regions in Antarctica,is presented.A first step consisted in combining data from differential GPS surveys gained during the austral summers 1997～1998 and 1999～2000,with the current coastline from a SPOT satellite image mosaic,topographic information from existing maps and from the Antarctic Digital Database.From this data sets,a digital terrain model (DTM) was generated using Arc/Info GIS.In a second step,a satellite image map at the scale 1∶100 000 was assembled from contour lines derived from the DTM and the satellite mosaic.A lack of accurate topographic information in the eastern part of the island was identified.Additional topographic surveying or SAR interferometry should be used to improve the data quality in that area.The GIS integrated database will be indispensable for glaciological and climatological studies and administrative and scientific purposes.In future,the application of GIS techniques will be mandatory for environmental impact studies and environmental monitoring as well as for management plans on King George Island.

Segments-based progressive TIN densification filter for DTM generation from airborne LIDAR data

Airborne light detection and ranging( LIDAR) has revolutionized conventional methods for digital terrain models( DTMs) acquisition. Ground filtering for airborne LIDAR is one of the core steps taken to obtain a high quality DTM. This paper presents a segments-based progressive TIN( triangulated irregular network) densification( SPTD) filter that can automatically separate ground points from non-ground points. The SPTD method is composed of two key steps: point cloud segmentation and clustering by iterative judgement. The clustering method uses the dual distance to obtain a set of seed points as a coarse spatial clustering process. Then the rest of the valid point clouds are classified iteratively. Finally,the datasets provided by ISPRS are utilized to test the filtering performance.In comparison with the commercial software Terra Solid,the experimental results show that the SPTD method in this paper can avoid single threshold restrictions. The expected accuracy of ground point determination is capable of producing reliable DTMs in the discontinuous areas.

Formalizing Land Administration through E-Governance Mechanism in Sri Lanka

This paper proposes a comprehensive and practical approach to implement a land administration act in Sri Lanka followed by setting up a Land Administration Commission (LAC), which is a separate entity to maintain a Land Administration Database Management System in support of the land information collected and maintained by stakeholders who deal with matters related to land and its decision-making under e-governance concept. Also, It describes the operations of the four core functions: land tenure, land valuation, land use, and land development in land administration under a single sustainable national land policy, underpinned by spatial information under the e-Governance mechanism. Further, the paper identifies the stakeholders and their main responsibilities in each of the four core functions with the current issues in sharing information across stakeholders. Finally, the paper describes setting up a Land administration entity thereby empowering the LAC and introduces spatial information layers at different resolution levels in a centralized land administration spatial database to keep track of all land transactions carried out by each stakeholder. This approach will enable the top-level decision-making authority (the central level) to manage all land-related activities under one platform to contribute towards the sustainable land development of the country. It is proposed to implement this approach as a pilot activity in the district of Colombo and expand it in the entire country gradually with its output.

Computing Local Geoid Model Using DTM and GPS Geodetic Points.Case Study:Mejez El Bab-Tunisia

Different methods have been deployed to compute the geoid, the altimetry reference for surveying applications. One of their main goals is to allow the use of GPS (Global Positioning System) or GNSS heights, which are related to an ellipsoid and therefore must be corrected. Some of these methods are accurate but quite heavy as developed by [1], but one of them is easy to use while giving very good results in a local system: some mm for a 10 × 10 km2 area developed by [2] [3]. In our study, we have used software called “Géoide Program”, previously used at the CERN in Switzerland and set up by [4], which they complete this software allowing a parameterization of general data to provide results in a general system. Then, tests have shown the way to optimize computations without any loss of accuracy. For our computations we use gridded of geodetic heights, from Lambert or WGS 84 datum’s, DTM (Digital Terrain Model) and leveled GPS points. To obtain these results, components of the vertical deflection are computed for every point on the grid, deduced from the attraction exerted by the mass Model. Then, geodetic heights are computed by an incremental way from an arbitrary reference. Once the calculation is performed, the geodetic height of any point located in the modelled area can be interpolated. The variations of parameters (mainly size and increments of the DTM and of the modeled area, and ground density) have shown that they do not play a significant role although DTM must be large enough to take into account an important area around a selected zone. However, the choice of the levelled GPS points is primordial. We have performed tests with real data concerning Mejez El Bab zone, in north of Tunisia. Nevertheless, for a few hundreds of square kilometers area, and just by using a DTM and a few levelled GPS points, this method provides results that look extremely promising, at least for surveying activities, as it shows a good possibility to use GPS for coarse precision levelling, and as DTM are now widely available in many countries.

Interpretation of Groundwater Flow into Fractured Aquifer

The region of investigation is part of the western desert of Iraq covering an area of about 12,400 km2, this region includes several large wadis discharging to the Euphrates River. Since the Tectonic features in particular fault zones play a significant role with respect to groundwater flow in hard rock terrains. The present research is focus on investigate lineaments that have been classified as suspected faults by means of remote sensing techniques and digital terrain evaluation in combination with interpolating groundwater heads and MLU pumping tests model in a fractured rock aquifer, Lineaments extraction approach is illustrated a fare matching with suspected faults, moreover these lineaments conducted an elevated permeability zone.

Charcoal kiln sites, associated landscape attributes and historic forest conditions:DTM-based investigations in Hesse(Germany)

Background： An examination of the distribution of ancient charcoal kiln sites in the forest landscape seems to be worthwhile, since general trends in the selection of suitable kiln site locations in the past might become obvious. In this way forest landscape elements with a more intense usage by charcoal burning can be identified. By doing this, we can expect to gain information on the former condition and tree species composition of woodland. Investigations on the spatial distribution of charcoal kiln sites in relation to landscape attributes are sparse, however, probably due to the high on-site mapping effort. The outstanding suitability of LiDAR-derived digital terrain models （DTMs） for the detection of charcoal kiln sites has been recently proved. Hence, DTM-based surveys of charcoal kiln sites represent a promising attempt to fill this research gap. Methods： Based on DTM-based surveys, we analyzed the spatial distribution of charcoal kiln sites in two forest landscapes in the German federal state of Hesse： Reinhardswald and Kellerwald-Edersee National Park. In doing so, we considered the landscape attibutes ＂tree species composition＂, ＂water supply status＂, ＂nutrient supply status＂, ＂soil complex classes＂, ＂altitude＂, ＂exposition＂, and ＂inclination＂. Results： We found that charcoal kiln sites were established preferably on hillside locations that provided optimal growing and regeneration conditions for European beech （Fagus sylvatico） due to their acidic brown soils and sufficient water supply. These results are in line with instructions for the selection of appropriate kiln site locations, found in literature from the 18th to the 19th century. Conclusions： We conclude that there were well-stocked, beech-dominated deciduous forest stands in northern Hesse before 1800, particularly at poorly accessible hillside locations. These large stocks of beech wood were utilized by the governments of the different Hessian territories through the establishment of ironworks and hammer mills. Our argumentation is well in line with findings which underline that not all Hessian forests were overexploited in the 18th century. Frequently repeated complaints about ＂wood shortage＂ seemed to be more a political instrument than reality, not only in Hesse, but all over Europe. Consequently, a differentiated assessment of woodland conditions in proto-industrial times is strictly advised, even if contemporary sources draw a dark picture of the historic situation.

DEM Production/Updating Based on Environmental Variables Modeling and Conflation of Data Sources

Availability of digital elevation models （DEMs） of a high quality is becoming more and more important in spatial studies. Standard methods for DEM creation use only intentionally acquired data sources. Two approaches which employ various types of data sets for DEM production are proposed： （1） Method of weighted sum of different data sources with morphological enhancement that conflates any additional data sources to principal DEM, and （2） DEM updating methods of modeling absolute and relative temporal changes, considering landslides, earthquakes, quarries, watererosion, building and highway constructions, etc. Spatial modeling of environmental variables concerning both approaches for （a） quality control of data sources, considering regions, （b） pre-processing of data sources, and （c） processing of the final DEM, have been applied. The variables are called rate of karst, morphologic roughness （modeled from slope, profile curvature and elevation）, characteristic features, rate of forestation, hydrological network, and rate of urbanization. Only the variables evidenced as significant were used in spatial modeling to generate homogeneous regions in spatial modeling a-c. The production process uses different regions to define high quality conflation of data sources to the final DEM. The methodology had been confirmed by case studies. The result is an overall high quality DEM with various well-known parameters.