Why use satellite images to monitor the sea for oil pollution?

 

CleanSeaNet uses Synthetic Aperture Radar images from polar orbiting satellites. These images can:

  • Provide very wide area monitoring over remote sea areas (one image can cover up to 500 000 km2);
  • Be used day and night;
  • Detect oil on the sea surface,
  • Detect of strong radar reflectors such as vessels and offshore installations which are potential sources of oil spills.

Occasionally, very high-resolution optical satellite images may be used to monitor specific events on the request of coastal States, usually linked with support to large accidental spills and pollution response operations.