Hand-held spectroradiometer system for in-situ and ex-situ characterization of soil, plant, and geological materials and ground truthing remote sensing images

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Proper characterization of spatial and temporal variability in soil, plant, and geologic materials depends on time, labor and cost intensive sample collection, processing, and laboratory measurements for many samples. For decades, scientists have used high resolution reflectance spectra to determine mineralogical composition in soil and geologic materials and to assess a range of physical and chemical properties. Spectroscopy across visible, near and mid infrared emerges as a breakthrough in these studies. The advancement of technologies and faster computing supported rapid characterization of various physical and chemical properties including mineral composition, clay content, color, moisture, organic carbon/matter, pH, exchangeable cations, CEC, etc. with fair accuracy. The advantages of spectroscopic approach are rapid, robust and environment friendly and it breaks the bottleneck of sample collection and lab testing and permits instant assessment of soil, plant, and geological materials in-situ and ex-situ on many representative samples covering expansive geographic areas. Similarly, while satellites collect spectral information remotely, they must be validated at ground for proper utilization of data and derivation of information. We are requesting a spectroradiometer system, ASD FieldSpec 4 Hi-Res for soil, plant, and geological material characterization as well as ground truthing remote sensing images. The high-resolution (3 nm) spectroradiometer is designed for faster, more precise spectral data measurements in the visible and near infrared range (350-2500 nm) for a wide array of applications in the field and in the laboratory. The portability, ruggedness and versatility of the instrument will allow wider applications and propel the progress of at least six different research programs in geosciences and engineering. Accessories including probes, calibration sets, lighting, lens, and software will enhance the quality of the data and their collection. The proposed instrument is critical to achieving the progress of PI and Co-PI's research programs and the success of HQP's trained in these programs. Additionally, collaboration among multiple research programs will significantly increase the scope, impact, and productivity of these research programs. The instrument is not replacing any existing one or available at any institution nearby. It will be housed within the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph. The degree of utilization is expected to be very high (~250 days/year) and a large no of HQPs (~30) will be trained using the instrument over the next five years. The proposed instrument will significantly propel and accelerate the research capability as well as enable the examination of new and important questions in different domains of sciences. Delay in acquiring this instrument will significantly interrupt the progress and success of the cutting-edge research and compromise Canadian standing globally.