Oceanography The Official Magazine of
The Oceanography Society
Volume 26 Issue 02

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Volume 26, No. 2
Pages 112 - 123

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Oil Spills and Slicks Imaged by Synthetic Aperture Radar

By Michael J. Caruso , Maurizio Migliaccio, John T. Hargrove, Oscar Garcia-Pineda, and Hans C. Graber 
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Article Abstract

Oil spills and slicks occur in the ocean around the world due to natural seeps, oil extraction, transportation, and consumption. Satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR) has proven to be an efficient tool for identifying and classifying oil on the sea surface. This information can be used to monitor areas for potential illegal marine discharge or to respond to an oil spill incident. When used to monitor shipping lanes or drilling platforms, timely analysis can identify offending parties and lead to prosecution. Following an oil spill such as that from the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, SAR can be used to direct response activities and optimize available resources.

Citation

Caruso, M.J., M. Migliaccio, J.T. Hargrove, O. Garcia-Pineda, and H.C. Graber. 2013. Oil spills and slicks imaged by synthetic aperture radar. Oceanography 26(2):112–123, https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2013.34.

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