Microwave spectroscopic dielectric model of moist soils using physical and hydrological characteristics as input parameters

In this paper, the generalized refractive mixing dielectric model (GRMDM) has been modified to incorporate the major advantage of the semiempirical dielectric mixing model (SDMM) in providing for the complex dielectric constant of moist soil predictions in the microwave band, using only physical and hydrological characteristics of the soil as input parameters. First, the GRMDM spectral parameters were obtained for a set of 14 types of soils having various texture and mineralogy characteristics. Second, the regression equations linking the GRMDM spectral parameters to the physical and hydrological ones were deduced to ensure predictions of the complex dielectric constant of moist soils as a function of wave frequency, volumetric moisture, soil sand, clay, and organic component percentages, dry soil density, and maximum hygroscopicity soil. Through this methodology, a modified refractive mixing dielectric model (MRMDM) was developed, which provided for prediction of complex dielectric constant of moist soils, using their physical and hydrological characteristics as input parameters.