Alberta oil sands production mine: glovis 42/20
Standard False Color Composite
Vegetation is shown in pink to red values. Darker red is indicative of area of thick and active vegetation while lighter shades represent less vegetative cover. The river and mine are demonstrated in shades of gray to blue gray indicating a total lack of vegetation. A Standard False Color Composition band combination of 2, 3 and 4 was utilized (Figure 3-5). Later images (2006 & 2011) image view was scaled back to include new mining areas. Darker areas at the top of the image are possibly inactive portions of sand dunes or part of the Athabasca Plains leading to Lake Athabasca.
Mid-infrared color composite
The Mid-Infrared series above (Figure 3-6) was processed using bands 2, 5 and 7. Vegetation is shown in familiar shades of green. The river, natural ponds and tailing ponds are shown in blue. The mine, roads and areas lacking vegetative cover are shown in shades of brown to yellow. Later images (2006 & 2011) image view was scaled back to include new mining areas. The mid-infrared bands provide high contrast between the mine site while retaining the natural color of forested areas.
Band Composition 4, 5 and 3
The image series above (Figure 3-7) was created in IDRISI utilizing Bands 4, 5 and 3. Mining areas, roads and cleared areas are shown in neon green/blue. Water features such as tailing ponds and rivers are displayed in blue/ purple colors. The Boreal forest areas prevalent along smaller rivers (see west side of mining areas) are shown in a distinct bright orange color. Later images (2006 & 2011) image view was scaled back to include new mining areas. This band combination provides good contrast distinction between forested areas and those of the clear cut mine.