DYNAMICS OF ESTIMATING EVAPOTRANSPIRATION THROUGH THE SURFACE ENERGY BALANCE ALGORITHM FOR LAND – SEBAL, IN EASTERN AMAZON
radiation balance, Landsat-8, surface temperature
The estimation of evapotranspiration (ET) is a key factor to reach a sustainable management of water, since this is an essential element for all life on Earth. ET is an important variable of the energy balance on earth’s surface. Its components are fundamental for climate models, agriculture, and management of water resources. This study aims to compare the components of energy balance and to estimate the actual daily evapotranspiration by means of the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL), in Eastern Amazon. We used four images captured by the sensors OLI/TIRS on Landsat 8 in the following dates: November 20, 2017; December 22, 2017; May 31, 2018; and June 7, 2018. After processing the images, we obtained the reflectance, spectral radiance, albedo of the surface, emissivity, vegetation indexes, temperature of the surface, and net radiation. The results show the smallest temperature and albedo occurring in areas of dense vegetation, while the lowest values occur in areas of exposed soil. These variables are directly linked to the elements of net radiation. The validation of the output from SEBAL was performed with data from a micrometeorological station, located in the experimental site, in a commercial assai (Euterpe oleraceae Mart.) orchard. We calculated values of mean absolute error, mean relative error, and root of mean square errors equal to 0.76 mm, 18.5%, and 0.58 mm, respectively, which are in agreement with scientific literature. We intend to analyze data recorded in 2019, in the same area, to obtain better results.