The method of space monitoring of oil pollution on the sea surface on the example of the Caspian Sea

Abstract

The article presents the experience of developing the method for space monitoring of oil pollution on the sea surface using the example of the Caspian Sea within the Atyrau region (hereinafter the method). Today, the level of development of technologies for remote sensing of the Earth (hereinafter - ERS) and data processing technologies in geographic information systems (hereinafter - GIS) allows one to create accurate digital models as well as scientific and applied methods for analyzing effects of oil pollution on the sea surface and coastal ecosystems.

The paper describes the main approaches and methods of modern satellite monitoring of oil pollution of the sea surface and the development of a digital map of ”oil pollution facts in the KSCS aquatorium within the Atyrau region.” A wide amount of data allowed us to analyze existing methods for detecting oil pollution and to choose the optimal solutions to the problem of detecting and predicting oil and oil product spills. Considerable attention is paid to the practical use of remote sensing and GIS data for monitoring oil pollution. Based on the analysis of the successfully applied detection methods, the most exemplary and diverse solutions of space monitoring of oil and oil products extraction and transportation areas were identified. The developed Methodology is intended for a wide range of users and can be considered as an information system that contributes to the accumulation of scientific knowledge, its display, analysis, and updating. The methodological foundations of the Method can be used to conduct similar studies at other water bodies of Kazakhstan.