Oil Scan: Remote Oil Spill Detection, Classification and Trajectory
Researchers: Shattri Mansor, Hamid Assilzadeh, Mohd Ibrahim Mohd and Abdul Rashid Mohamed Shariff
Oil SCAN System is an early warning system to identify vulnerable coastal locations before an oil spill happens. It is developed by a group of researchers headed by Prof. Dr. Shattri Mansor from Spatial and Numerical Modelling Laboratory, Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Monitoring and detecting oil spills as they occur in real times accelerates response time – thus substantially reducing cleanup/remediation costs, and limiting damage to the environment. UPM has developed the optimum solution for this requirement. Oil Scan is a highly effective, cost saving and easy to use.
Oil SCAN is used to:
Detect and monitor oil spill in satellite imagery.
Mapping oil spill and estimation of area of spillage.
Simulate oil spill trajectory.
Generate and annotate images for area of interest.
Remotely access information and decision making for oil spill prevention control.
Oil SCAN System comprises of two main components, each having a specific use in aiding decision makers:
1) Detection and Classification Tool provides data ingest capabilities, geometric correction, ship and slick detection and analysis tools.
2) Trajectory and Decision Support Tool allows users to incorporate ancillary data such as remote sensing images, scanned oceanographic charts, coastline vectors, ESI maps and response team information for spatial analysis and modelling. It provides a systematic, seamless data management capability and incorporates trajectory modelling for risk assessment and contingency planning. DST outputs consist of custom formatted images, vector and object-based overlays and analysis product that identify and map features and processes specific to the application.
Oil scan is able to process any radar imagery to detect and classify oil spill on sea water. Classification of oil spill thickness is based on histogram matching of the spectral signatures unique to differing fuels and pollutants. Different dampening effect from oil spill on radar backscattering is the basis of oil spill detection and classification analysis. A hydrodynamic oil spill model employed using oceanographic and meteorological information were incorporated with Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) map in a GIS environment to distinguish oil spill trajectory in the spilled area. Oil Scan is able to simulate oil spill trajectory on default or customized format of time duration and weather data. Data such as wind and current could also be extracted automatically from the same imagery. Knowledge of oil spill thickness and trajectory will result in more effective direction of oil spill countermeasures, including dispersant application and in situ burning.
In conclusion, the Oil SCAN System is a useful tool to identify, delineate and estimate selected response technologies used in marine oil spill clean up, related to given environmental conditions, changes in oil characteristics and operational considerations in the affected area.
AWARDS - BRONZE— World Exhibition of Innovation, Research & New Technologies (EUREKA 2005).
Reader Enquiry
Spatial and Numerical Modeling Laboratory
Institute of Advanced Technology
Universiti Putra Malaysia
43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor
Malaysia
Tel: +603 8946 6088
Email: [email protected]
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