Oil Slicks and Coastal Zones Post Gulf War; A 20-Years Assessment, Employing High-Resolution Satellite Imagery

Abstract

Abstract The Gulf-war (1991) resulted in one of the world's biggest environmental disasters, impacts of which are still to be assessed. The post war environmental impacts comprise of multiple dimensions among which only two dimensions have been investigated in this research. The first dimension was to assess the amount of present offshore oil slicks while the second approach was to assess the impacts on coastal areas along the Gulf in a-20-years period (1991–2011) using high resolution satellite imagery. 42 high resolution ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) satellite images have been employed in this research in the TIR (thermal infrared) region of the EM (Electro Magnetic) spectrum to assess the impact of the spill on the coastal zones along the Gulf since 1991. In order to assess and monitor the trend of the oil slick movements during the last 20 years period offshore, thirty (30) Seasonal day time MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) satellite images were employed. Following intensive processing and image classification procedures, color composite images of the TIR bands of the ASTER satellite and moderate resolution bands of MODIS were produced. Fuzzy logic and variograms were employed throughout the processing procedures of the data analysis as powerful tools to reduce uncertainty prior to data analysis. The processed MODIS images mapped the direction of the movements of slicks in the last 20 years offshore while the processed ASTER images were employed to monitor the gradual impact on the coastal zones along the Gulf during the same 20 years period. Astonishing results were achieved. Some slicks are still present in the Gulf region and the magnitude of the environmental damage on the coastal areas along the Gulf hasn't decreased in accordance with the standard contingency plans. Immediate response is demanding both to remove the existing slicks as well as the shoreline cleanup and restoration, the impacts of which have accumulated over the last 20 years.