AERIAL IMAGE-PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Examples of imagery from experimental oil spills in the North Sea duri ng August 1993 are presented to illustrate how remote sensing imagery, if integrated into spill management systems, can affect the decision making process. Time series data from multiple sensor types can be pro cessed and interpreted from a response perspective using new spatial d ata management and imaging software to aid emergency response efforts. Until now, remote sensing platforms for oil spills, despite substanti al records of past use, have been used as little more than spotter air craft that supplemented reports from an observer with a camera and ske tchpad, With the integration of image processing technology, multiple sensors and aircraft avionics, spill surveillance, usually limited to descriptions about the general size and approximate location of a patc h of oil, can now provide quantitative information about the physical aspects of an entire spill and an understanding of its behavior over t ime, within the environment surrounding the spill. The ability to dete ct and measure changes relating to the characteristics of a spill itse lf, as well as the surrounding environment, marks the beginning for ne w commercial opportunities and applications of remote sensing technolo gy-oil spill detection being just one example. Further, it demonstrate s how management decisions, emergency response and strategic planning needs will be supported in coming years.