Data validation SMOS SML2UDP product in the Pampean Region

RIVAS, R.; NICLOS, R.; GARCÍA-SANTOS, V.; VALOR, E.; HOLZMAN, M. E.; BAYALA, M.; CARMONA, F.; OCAMPO, D.; THIBEAULT, M.; SOLDANO, A.

Encuentro; 8ª Encuentro del International Center for Earth Sciencies; 2013

A validation campaign was carried out to evaluate the SMOS‐MIRAS Soil Moisture (SM) SML2UDP product (v5.51) in the Pampean Region of Argentina. Transects of ground SM measurements were collected by ThetaProbe ML2x probes within four ISEA‐grid SMOS nodes, where permanent SM stations are located. The comparison of concurrent SMOS‐retrieved data with ground measurements over four SMOS nodes in PRA showed a slightly θv underestimation by the SMOS‐MIRAS product, with a bias of ‐ 0.02 m³m¯³, and a standard deviation of the differences of ± 0.06 m³m¯³, which yields a RMSE of ± 0.06 m³m¯³. The RMSE value is close to meet the mission?s goal of ± 0.04 m³m¯³ [6]. Even though the slight underestimation, SMOS‐MIRAS seems able to follow the temporal evolution of ground SM in this area of croplands. Additionally, experimental transects were carried out within the parcels where permanent SM stations are located in the PRA. The good correlation obtained between the ground θv measurements within the node and the means of the station data suggest the possibility of using temporal series of adjusted station values to continue the validation of SMOS‐retrieved data in a future study.