O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a adequação do uso do sensor AVHRR/NOAA (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) para mapeamento da temperatura da superfície terrestre (TST) no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, por meio da comparação entre três algoritmos clássicos. Foram comparados os métodos de Becker & Li, Sobrino et al. e Kerr et al. para estimativa das TST mínimas, utilizando imagens noturnas e logo após o amanhecer. Os dados de emissividade e TST foram obtidos por meio de combinações matemáticas da radiação detectada nas faixas do visível, infravermelho próximo e termal do sensor AVHRR/NOAA. O sensor AVHRR é adequado para o mapeamento de TST para as condições do tipo de cobertura do solo que predominam no Rio Grande do Sul, visto que a TST estimada pelos três métodos testados foi próxima à temperatura do ar medida nos locais selecionados. O método de Sobrino et al. foi o mais adequado.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the suitable use of AVHRR/NOAA (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) on land surface temperature (LST) mapping in Rio Grande do Sul State by means of the comparison of three classic algorithms. The methods of Becker & Li, Sobrino et al. and Kerr et al. were compared for the minimum LST estimation, using nocturnal and predawn images. Both emissivity and LST data were obtained by means of mathematical combinations of the visible, near-infrared and thermal detected radiation of the AVHRR/NOAA sensor. The AVHRR sensor is suitable for LST mapping for the overall conditions of soil coverage in Rio Grande do Sul, once the estimated LST, by the three tested methods, was close to the measured air temperature at the selected locations. Sobrino et al. was the most adequate method.

A search is made for indicators of the presence of phytoplankton, using satellite images of the Pacific (Central Chile) and Atlantic (South Brazil). AVHRR/NOAA-16 and -17 visible (1 and 2) and thermal (4 and 5) channels were used to perform a detection test, respectively, the Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and the Sea Surface Temperature (SST). In Brazilian waters, a positive correlation is found between SST and SPM's reflectance. This is interpreted as due to phytoplankton being more abundant in colder waters, where nutrients availability are higher because CO2 dissolution rates, thus being a favorable environment for phytoplankton contents, which when mixed with SPM, tends to reduce the total water reflectance, since organic matter causes absorption at red wavelengths. A comparison is made with results for colder Pacific, where an opposite trend is found. It is noted that the Pacific shelf, off Chile, is narrower than the Atlantic's off Brazil, leading to circulation processes, which have a different influence on particulate matter contents. It's also concluded that NOAA data is suitable for these studies, despite the fact its spectral resolution is poorer comparing to specialized ocean studies satellites, a disadvantage compensed by its wider spectral and radiometric range and higher imaging frequency