The Priestley-Taylor equation applied to pixel scale: an alternative for detailed studies of basins
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin.121.4.005Keywords:
evapotranspiration, net radiation, Priestley-Taylor equation, remote sensing, satellite imagesAbstract
The estimate of potential daily evapotranspiration (LEd) is of great interest on a local and regional scale. Currently, scale regional estimates are conducted from the combination of field data with satellite images (SI). This paper presents a methodology of simple application to estimate the LEd on a regional scale by means of the equation of Priestley and Taylor (1972) (PT) and a model to obtain daily net radiation (Rnd) pixel by pixel. Rnd model was developed from local data recorded by an energy balance station (EBS) in the sub-humid pampean region of Argentina, resulting Rnd=A.Rs↓d.(1- albedo) + B, where A and B are two experimental parameters and Rs↓d is daily short wave incoming radiation. Rnd model was combined with the PT equation and was applied to obtain LEd on a pixel scale (30 m by 30 m) using the calculated albedo from a Landsat SI (TM sensor), the alpha PT parameter was set in 1.26 and ground heat flux in zero on a daily scale. LEd maps were developed for 6 consecutive days, where LEd temporal variation is mainly regulated by the Rs↓d and spatial variation of the albedo. Although the model proposed has not been validated with local measurement or other models, a estimation of the uncertainty in the methodology used to determine LEd was 22%, which suggests being a good alternative for its application in the pampean region of Argentina or other similar regions of the world.
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Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires
Grant numbers PRH N° 0032 UNCPBA-ANPCyT
Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica
Grant numbers PRH N° 0032 UNCPBA-ANPCyT
