How many spectral bands are necessary to describe the directional reflectance of beach sands

Spectral variability in the visible, near-infrared and shortwave directional reflectance factor of beach sands and freshwater sheet flow is examined using principal component and correlation matrix analysis of in situ measurements. In previous work we concluded that the hyperspectral bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of beach sands in the absence of sheet flow exhibit weak spectral variability, the majority of which can be described with three broad spectral bands with wavelength ranges of 350-450 nm, 700-1350 nm, and 1450-2400 nm. 1 Observing sheet flow on sand we find that a thin layer of water enhances reflectance in the specular direction at all wavelengths and that spectral variability may be described using four spectral band regions of 350-450 nm, 500-950 nm, 950-1350 nm, and 1450-2400 nm. Spectral variations are more evident in sand surfaces of greater visual roughness than in smooth surfaces, regardless of sheet flow.