The multispectral concept as applied to marine oil spills

Abstract

The detection and measurement of oil pollution in the marine environment are receiving augmented attention, as the incidence of oil spills increases with a corresponding demand for information to direct cleanup operations and assign legal responsibility. Owing to the complex behavior of oil on water, its susceptibility to transport and modification forces, and the physiochemical anomalies associated with its presence, both aerial and surface-based sensors are necessary components of a complete and effective monitoring system. Ultraviolet, thermal infrared, and microwave sensors exhibit capabilities potentially good for oil detection. Radar, in particular, possesses excellent promise for mapping an oil slick's area extent since it is operative day or night, under even adverse weather conditions. Since no present remote sensor system can as yet provide accurate information on the type or thickness of an oil slick, complementary data must be collected using surface-based mechanisms. Radiometric, meteorological, and oceanographic information are essential for a valid interpretation of remotely sensed data and a more complete analysis of the oil spill situation. Several potentially operational systems, coordinating remote sensing and surface data collection systems, for monitoring marine oil pollution are discussed, but more research is clearly needed to demonstrate the actual feasibility of any given method.