ASSESSMENT OF MARINE OIL POLLUTION USING KOSMOS-1870 AND ALMAZ-1 RADAR IMAGES

Abstract

Radar imagery of sea-surface pollution by oil and surfactants from a synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) from the Kosmos-1870 and Almaz-1 spacecraft is described and analyzed, and a classification based on visual interpretation keys is presented. The possibilities of using a 9.6 cm SAR for monitoring surface pollution, determination of imaging conditions, and keys for identification of oil pollution are discussed. The advantages and limitations of SAR for the monitoring of marine oil spills are demonstrated on the basis of an analysis.