MULTIANGULAR SATELLITE RADAR DIAGNOSTICS OF OIL SPILLS ON THE SEA SURFACE: VALIDATION OF THE METHOD

摘要

A validation scheme is suggested for the multiangular satellite radar diagnostics of oil pollutions on the sea surface, which proceeds from collation of the radar-obtained estimates for mass and thickness of the spilled oil film with similar magnitudes that follow from the new simulation model of oil spreading (FOTS, for Floating Object Tracking System). The measured data used in the validation were obtained during Synthetic-Aperture Radar (SAR) monitoring of the Caspian Sea near the Neft Daslari (Neftyanye Kamni, or Oil Rocks) oil field. The spaceborne SAR was Envisat-1. The FOTS model permits forecasting the motion dynamics and mass and size evolution of an oil slick over time, proceeding from the data of satellite measurements and of atmospheric re-analysis. The model accounts for the major processes influencing oil slick formation, such as gravitation-controlled spreading, advective transfer, dispersion, emulsification, turbulent mixing and evaporation. By applying the model it is possible to calculate variations in the film thickness and dynamics of its motion in between the radar measurements in the region (i.e. over 12 hr to 48 hr periods), and evaluate volumes of the spilled oil. Validity of the method is confirmed by the agreement of film thickness magnitudes as deduced from the radar measurements and such obtained as a result of modeling.