Abstract

The Canadian Federal Government, working together with agencies of other governments, is conducting a number of programs related to detection and clean-up of oil spills in the environment.

In both the environmental assessment and clean-up aspects, remote sensing technology provides a vital input. The paper discusses the state-of-the-art in the remote detection of oil spills specifically in terms of Canadian experience and needs. Three basic types of sensor “packages” are discussed. These are: passive imagery techniques operating in the visible range of the spectrum, microwave systems and active or specialised techniques. Each of these three categories has certain advantages and disadvantages. For example, simple aerial photography or airborne multispectral scanner systems, operating in the visible range of the spectrum, are limited by meteorological conditions and to daytime operation.

Requirements of quasi-operational airborne systems include all weather capability which can be accommodated by microwave systems. Microwave systems can also be used for night-time surveillance and, under certain conditions, for estimating the thickness of oil. The third category covers instrumentation such as active laser line-scanner systems (useful for night operations) and laser fluoro-sensors which may provide means of identification of the type of oil as well as distinguishing between oil and chemical effluents.