Modelling the Visibility of Baltic-Type Crude Oil Emulsion Dispersed in the Southern Baltic Sea

Emilia Baszanowska,Jacek Piskozub,Zbigniew Otremba

doi:10.3390/rs13101917

Emilia Baszanowska, Jacek Piskozub + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/rs13101917

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Abstract

This paper analyses the radiance reflectance modelling of a sea area and the case of a water column polluted with an oil emulsion in relation to various depths of the occurrence of an oil-in-water emulsion in all azimuth and zenith angles. For the radiance reflectance modelling, the simulation of large numbers of solar photons in water was performed using a Monte Carlo simulation. For the simulations, the optical properties of seawater for the open sea typical of the southern Baltic Sea were used and Petrobaltic-type crude oil (extracted in the Baltic Sea) was added. Oil pollution in the sea was considered for oil droplet concentrations of 10 ppm, which were optically represented by spectral waveforms of absorption and scattering coefficients, as well as by angular light scattering distribution determined using the Mie theory. The results of the radiance reflectance modelling in the whole spectrum of both angles, azimuth and zenith, allowed us to select 555 nm as the optimal wavelength for oil emulsion detection. Moreover, the parameter contrast was defined and determined using radiance reflectance results for eight light wavelengths in the range of 412-676 nm. The contrast is discussed in relation to the various thicknesses of polluted water layers. Changes in contrast for a thickness layer 5 m under the sea surface were noted, whereas for thicker layers the contrast remained unchanged.

Highlights

Over the last few decades, a wide range of scientific literature has indicated that oil substance occurrence in the marine environment creates an unfavourable situation due to the threat posed to the natural seawater ecosystem
There have been fewer oil spills lately. International conventions such as MARPOL [7], restrictive maritime law controlled by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) [8] and the Helsinki
Radiance reflectance modelling for the whole spectrum of azimuth angles and zenith angles was performed to obtain information about the optimal angles for the optical detection of oil sunk under the sea surface

Summary

Introduction

Over the last few decades, a wide range of scientific literature has indicated that oil substance occurrence in the marine environment creates an unfavourable situation due to the threat posed to the natural seawater ecosystem. There have been fewer oil spills lately. International conventions such as MARPOL [7], restrictive maritime law controlled by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) [8] and the Helsinki. The development of maritime transport, the construction of offshore pipelines, and the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas increase the likelihood of oil discharges occurring in the sea space. This may involve crude oil and its products, or fuels and consumables used in marine engine rooms. The prevention, detection, and combatting of oil spills play an important role in the protection of the marine ecosystem

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