SEAU

Multisensor Satellite Technologies for Oil Pollution Monitoring and Source Identification

 Partecipanti

Mappa

 Word cloud

Esplora la "nuvola delle parole (Word Cloud) per avere un'idea di massima del progetto.

 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The use of satellite radar data to detect oil at sea started in the early 90-ties. A first generation service has been developed through activities like research and development, demonstrations, trials and end user feedback. The improvement of the service has been on-going under the support of national and European (ESA, EC) R&D programs. Up till 2005, the oil spill detection activities were strongly project- driven and the service was delivered to a core user group particularly in Northern Europe on a year-to-year basis. In 2007 European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) launched the CleanSeaNet (CSN). CSN is a pan-European satellite based oil monitoring service. The service operations have documented a need for development and improvement.

The overall objective of the project is to improve the current state-of-the-art methodology for satellite based oil spill detection and impact assessment and to demonstrate through deliveries to existing and new users how these improvements can contribute the development of a sustainable service. This shall be done by integrating new geoinformation products and improved or new innovative methods. The project shall demonstrate a next generation service compliant with existing and new users expectations.

The EMSA/CSN service represents the state of the art for the satellite based oil detection service. The CSN service has proven its operational value. However, the experienced end users require improved quality and enhanced functionality.

SeaU will be a collaborative approach towards a harmonised pan-European service which will take full advantage of the products provided by Marine Core Service.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Satellite radar data assists with the rapid detection of potential oil slicks and their sources. An EU initiative developed and improved the current state-of-the-art methodology used in surveillance and control to prevent potentially more serious onshore pollution.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The grave situation regarding oil spills has been highlighted yet again by accidents off the Norwegian coastline involving the Server and the Full City tankers. Not only did they incur a high economic cost, the disasters also caused colossal environmental damage.

There is a need to improve satellite-based oil slick detection services. In response to this, the EU-funded 'Multisensor satellite technologies for oil pollution monitoring and source identification' (SEAU) project aimed to integrate new geo-information products into innovative methods for oil spill detection.

In terms of data for marine life and vulnerability, all required data sets were made accessible. The format and details of information required for each type of data was also completed. Hardware for the database was installed and access to the database developed through the GeoWeb interface. Improved automatic algorithms were developed and incorporated into the service chain.

Project members created an interface to integrate multidisciplinary information according to related standards and directives, and enhanced oil detection methodology in line with user requirements. Multidisciplinary information such as space radar and optical data were included, as well as environmental data such as at-risk areas and bird cliffs.

The team improved source detection and identification of polluters for users of land and space sensors such as the satellite automatic identification system. It also implemented oil drift models in service operations.

SEAU introduced European end users to new and improved operational oil monitoring by satellite. The project will lead to more rapid detection and warning of both illegal and accidental discharges of oil from ships and rigs.