Evaluation of MIVIS hyperspectral data for mapping covering materials

LARA, namely Airborne Laboratory for Environmental Research, is a division of the Atmospheric Pollution Institute of the Italian National Research Council; it carries out research activities by using hyperspectral data. acquired by means of MIVIS (Multispectral Infrared Visible Imaging Spectrometer). Over the years methodologies applied to the hyperspectral MIVIS data collected over different Italian towns (Rome, Naples, Milan, Verona, etc.) have been developed to discriminate and quantify urban elements and materials, like surface coatings, not covered structures, urban buildings, open air depots, vegetation, rivers, mobile elements and materials, shaded and sunny areas. Classification methodologies developed through the analysis of spectral responses, besides recognizing building elements with the maximum accuracy, are also able to discriminate the slightest variations of covering surfaces and distinguish a wide range of sub-classes which stress the typological characteristics of covering materials (bricks, grits, copper, lead, etc.). In particular a study aimed at assessing the potentiality of MIVIS hyperspectral data to map land coverings and monitor a sub-urban area of Rome, with a special attention to asbestos-cement coatings, is presented here. Data have been processed by means of a method known as spectral angle mapping (SAM). The results of this research, although they could be further validated from a methodological point of view, are at present already encouraging as they demonstrate possible successful operative applications of MIVIS data for monitoring the urban environment.