Oil Spill statistics from SAR images in the North Eastern Baltic Sea ship route in 2007-2009

The number of marine pollution arising from illegal oil dischargers from ship tank or bilge pumping is much greater than those spectacular ship accidents. Active microwave sensors deployed on satellites are an important tool in oil spill detection. Among the many different sensors synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is possibly the most suited for oil spill (OS) monitoring and identification, because of its high ground resolution and independence of weather condition [1]. Many studies have proved that radar images can provide information on possible location and extent of oil spills [2; 3; 4]. OS can be detected on SAR imagery because they have a dampening effect on the Bragg waves in the sea. When oil enters the water from a vessel or another facility, it initially spreads out and forms a continuous or cohesive patch on the water surface. OS patch of oil absorbs energy and dampens out surface waves, making the area “slick”. Detection and identification of OS in SAR images is complex because of look-alikes, which often occur in low wind condition. The SAR features of an OS and its surroundings depend on parameters like wind speed and the amount and a type of oil. Former experience demonstrates that the best approach for operational monitoring of OS would be simultaneous employment of different remote sensing instruments (SAR, optical remote sensing, in situ measurement) [5]. In every country, marine surveillance agencies are responsible for oil spill combating and on identification of illegal polluters. They rely on information that has been provided on potential oil spills by responsible institution. Illegal spills are mainly detected on essential navigation routes. Therefore, the aim of current study is to perform statistical analyses of oil pollutions in the North Eastern Baltic Sea shipping route in 2007-2009.