Validation of the generalized single-channel algorithm using Landsat 8 imagery and SURFRAD ground measurements

ABSTRACT

Land surface temperature (LST) is a key parameter in land surface physics and depends on energy and water exchange processes with the atmosphere. The generalized single-channel (GSC) algorithm is an operational approach for retrieving LST from satellite sensors with only one thermal infrared channel. Until now, validations of the GSC algorithm using in situ data were limited. In this study, Landsat 8 imagery and SURFace RADiation budget network (SURFRAD) ground observations were employed to test the accuracy of the GSC algorithm. The validation results show that the GSC algorithm can obtain high LST retrieval accuracy when the total atmospheric water vapour content is between 0.5 and 3 g cm⁻², with coefficient of determination (R²) between the retrieved LST and the ground LST greater than 0.97 and mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) values of 1.57 K and 1.96 K, respectively.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research has been supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 61401461], Youth Innovation Promotion Association, Chinese Academy of Sciences [grant number 2011134], and 135 Strategy Planning of Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences.