An Enhanced Surface Soil Moisture for Accurate Mapping of Soil Salinity and Fluoride Using Optical and Microwave Remote Sensing A Case Study in Palacode Taluk Dharmapuri District Tamil Nadu Southern India

Abstract

Soil salinization and Fluoride (F) contamination are two distinct newlineenvironmental issues, and their combined effects pose a significant and looming threat to newlinethe global community, demanding urgent attention and comprehensive solutions. Excess newlinesoluble salts in soil can exceed plant tolerance levels, hindering growth by reducing water newlineabsorption and photosynthesis. Elevated F levels in soil and plants also impair seed newlinegermination in crops like rice and vegetables. In dry or semi-arid regions, salinity and F newlinetogether worsen, as natural processes degrade water quality and affect plant health. Salts newlinecan influence fluoride mobility, either enhancing leaching or increasing its concentration newlinein plants. Combined salinity and F stress reduces agricultural productivity, highlighting newlinethe need for soil contamination assessment to protect ecosystems and human health. newlineAccurate mapping of salinity and fluoride-affected soils requires precise soil newlinemoisture (SM) quantification. Addressing uncertainties in SM for heterogeneous soils is newlineessential, considering the influence of both free and bound water on Synthetic Aperture newlineRadar (SAR) measurements. This improves estimates of soil moisture and vegetation newlineproperties, enhancing the precision of soil mapping. Timely SM monitoring via earth newlineobservation is crucial for agriculture, climate studies, and hydrology, helping farmers newlineoptimize irrigation, boost crop yields, conserve water, and reduce health risks newline