Detection of Oil Spills in the Northern South China Sea Using Landsat-8 OLI

Petroleum extraction, transportation, and consumption in the marine environment contribute to a large portion of anthropogenic oil spills into ocean. While previous research focuses more on spill accidents from tankers or offshore platforms, there are few systematic records occasional regional spills. In this study, optical imagery Landsat-8 OLI was used detect slicks ocean surface through spatial analysis spectral diagnosis northern South China Sea (NSCS). The source identified datasets traffic density platform locations. A total 632 were detected NSCS 2015 2019, where 57 platforms sources, 490 ships. average area 4.8 km2, half had areas <1.7 km2. Major hot spots included coastal Guangdong (ship origins), southeast northeast Dongsha Island middle south Beibu Gulf Pearl River Estuary (platform origins). Through we demonstrate capability medium-resolution monitoring Such results methods may help near real-time further environmental assessments.