This work gives a first insight into the potential of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to provide high-resolution vertical profiles for land surface temperature (LST) retrieval from thermal infrared (TIR) remote sensing. WRF numerical simulations were conducted to downscale NCEP Climate Forecast System Version 2 (CFSv2) reanalysis profiles, using two nested grids with horizontal resolutions of 12 km (G12) and 3 km (G03). We investigated the utility of these profiles for the atmospheric correction of TIR data and LST estimation, using the moderate resolution atmospheric transmission (MODTRAN) model and the Landsat 8 TIRS10 band. The accuracy evaluation was performed using 27 clear-sky cases over a radiosonde station in Southern Brazil. We included in the comparative analysis NASA’s Atmospheric Correction Parameter Calculator (ACPC) web-tool and profiles obtained directly from the NCEP CFSv2 reanalysis. The atmospheric parameters from ACPC, followed by those from CFSv2, were in better agreement with parameters calculated using in situ radiosondes. When applied into the radiative transfer equation (RTE) to retrieve LST, the best results (RMSE) were, in descending order: CFSv2 (0.55 K), ACPC (0.56 K), WRF G12 (0.79 K), and WRF G03 (0.82 K). Our findings suggest that there is no special need to increase the horizontal resolution of reanalysis profiles aiming at RTE-based LST retrieval. However, the WRF results were still satisfactory and promising, encouraging further assessments. We endorse the use of the well-known ACPC and recommend the NCEP CFSv2 profiles for TIR atmospheric correction and LST single-channel retrieval.

Atmospheric profiles are key inputs in correcting the atmospheric effects of thermal infrared (TIR) remote sensing data for estimating land surface temperature (LST). This study is a first insight into the feasibility of using the weather research and forecasting (WRF) model to provide high-resolution vertical profiles for LST retrieval. WRF numerical simulations were performed to downscaling NCEP climate forecast system version 2 (CFSv2) reanalysis profiles, using two nested grids with horizontal resolutions of 12 km (G12) and 3 km (G03). We investigated the use of these profiles in the atmospheric correction of TIR data applying the radiative transfer equation (RTE) inversion single-channel approach. The MODerate resolution atmospheric TRANsmission (MODTRAN) model and Landsat 8 TIRS10 (10.6–11.2 µm) band were taken for the method application. The accuracy evaluation was performed using in situ radiosondes in Southern Brazil. We included in the comparative analysis the atmospheric correction parameter calculator (ACPC; NASA) web tool and profiles directly from the NCEP CFSv2 reanalysis. The atmospheric correction parameters from ACPC, followed by CFSv2, had better agreement with the ones calculated using in situ radiosondes. When applied into the RTE to retrieve LST, the best results (RMSE) were, in descending order: CSFv2 (0.55 K), ACPC (0.56 K), WRF G12 (0.79 K), and WRF G03 (0.82 K). The findings suggest that increasing the horizontal resolution of reanalysis profiles does not particularly improve the accuracy of RTE-based LST retrieval. However, the WRF results are yet satisfactory and promising, encouraging further assessments. We endorse the use of the well-known ACPC and also recommend the NCEP CFSv2 reanalysis profiles for TIR remote sensing atmospheric correction and LST single-channel retrieval.

No contexto de desenvolvimento, o setor energético recebe destaque na economia brasileira. Nesse sentido, são inúmeras as usinas hidrelétricas implantadas e em fase de planejamento na região Amazônica, em virtude do potencial hidráulico das bacias hidrográficas. A Usina de Belo Monte, localizada no sudeste paraense, é um desses exemplos, onde o curso do Rio Xingu foi desviado para a formação dos grandes reservatórios que garantem a operação dessas centrais. As obras iniciaram-se no ano de 2011 e segue em fase de finalização. Diante disso, objetivou-se apresentar dados referentes à geração de energia elétrica na usina em questão, bem como analisar os impactos ambientais. Para tal, o método utilizado consistiu em levantamento bibliográfico com o intuito de obter embasamento teórico, e utilização de Sistema de Informações Geográficas (SIG) como ferramenta de geoprocessamento. Nessa perspectiva, observou-se que há contradições entre o planejamento da Usina e o que ocorre na prática, pois o baixo índice de geração de energia não sobressai os impactos causados. Portanto, é necessário que o projeto da Hidrelétrica de Belo Monte seja revisado, como forma de realizar adaptações necessárias ao seu efetivo funcionamento.

Atmospheric profiles are essential in weather prediction, atmospheric research, and satellite data calibration. In this study, we assess the use of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to downscaling NCEP Climate Forecast System Version 2 (CFSv2) reanalysis atmospheric profiles. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to Yonsei University (YSU) and Mellor–Yamada–Janjic (MYJ) Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) parameterization schemes. WRF simulations were carried out using two nested grids with horizontal resolutions of 12 and 3 km. Simulated profiles were evaluated against radiosonde observations in Southern Brazil. Results indicate that WRF can skillfully simulate vertical profiles of water vapor mixing ratio ( q ) and potential temperature ( θ ). The entire profile comparison yielded high correlation coefficients (mostly higher than 0.9), low moist and cold average biases, and overall RMSE (MAE) of 0.84 (0.44) g/Kg and 2.30 (1.61) K for q and θ , respectively. In the lower troposphere (0-3 km), errors are larger for q and lower for θ . Statistically, there is no significant difference in the retrieved profiles on increasing the horizontal resolution. The setting choice is a compromise between spatial detail needs and computational cost. Furthermore, the overall results did not indicate any preferred PBL scheme that outperforms in all case days. The performance depends on the meteorological conditions that prevail in the different cases. The WRF model and even data directly from NCEP CFSv2 reanalysis are useful to represent the vertical structure of the atmosphere when local radiosondes are not available.

O crescimento populacional acompanhado do processo de urbanização nas cidades, tem intensificado a ocupação em locais cada vez mais adensados. Nesse sentido o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os aspectos geoambientais do perímetro urbano de Marabá-Pará para indicar as áreas adequadas à ocupação habitacional. Para tanto, utilizou-se informações espaciais processadas através de ESRI (2014), para elaboração dos mapas referentes aos aspectos geoambientais. Após isto, cada fator geoambiental foi submetido a Análise Hierárquica de Processos (AHP) em ambiente SIG. Como resultado, a compilação dos dados demonstrou que da totalidade do perímetro urbano de Marabá, 35% da área é considerada favorável a ocupação habitacional. Deste percentual, a primeira opção de local mais adequado é a parte oeste da Zona de Expansão da Cidade Nova, onde verifica-se a predominância de áreas apropriadas, as quais representam 57,7% do total da zona. Apesar do núcleo São Felix também ser considerado adequado à habitação, a vulnerabilidade deste local se sustenta na planície fluvial, a qual é uma unidade geomorfológica fragilizada e característica de terrenos inundados. Nesse sentido, enfatiza-se a importância do estudo dos aspectos geoambientais paralelo ao planejamento urbano, com o intuito de minimizar a potencialização da fragilidade ambiental de áreas inapropriadas para ocupação habitacional.