High-stability L-band radiometer measurements of saltwater

L-band radiometer brightness temperature measurements of a saltwater pond were made as a function of salinity and temperature. A precision L-band radiometer with stability better than 0.1 K per day was used for these measurements. The L-band measurements are in good agreement with three dielectric constant models over a temperature range from 8/spl deg/C to 32/spl deg/C and a salinity range from 25-40 psu. Based on this experiment, these dielectric models will provide an excellent basis for the algorithm development and design of the future National Aeronautics and Space Administration Aquarius satellite mission.