Science Topic

Oil pollution

PML routinely monitors areas to detect if oil pollution occurs, so timely action can be taken.

PML have developed a Machine Learning algorithm to automatically detect oil slicks from satellite data. By routinely downloading and processing satellite data after every overpass and applying this automated oil slick detection it is possible to monitor areas for possible slicks and alert government authorities so that timely action can be taken.

The technique was developed in the Malacca strait, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, where oil spills are known to have disastrous consequences. It is currently being used as part of the EO4SD project to monitor oil spills off the coast of West Africa. Through this monitoring, regular discharges off the coast of Ghana have been identified. The commercial service developed in EASOS is being offered to government and industry through PML Applications.

Front cover of the "Satellite monitoring of oil spills" brochure

Satellite monitoring of oil spills

Download this informative brochure to find out more about how PML is using advanced techniques to support detection and clean-up of oil spills.

Download the PDF (4.3MB)

Support oil pollution research

PML Projects

WADIM: Water-Associated infectious Diseases in India: digital Management tools

TYRE-LOSS: Lost at Sea – where are all the tyre particles?

BIO-PLASTIC-RISK: Biodegradable Bioplastics – Assessing Environmental Risk

ProBleu: Promoting ocean and water literacy in school communities

FRONTAL: Satellite FRONTs for detection of Anthropogenic plastic Litter

FutureMARES: Climate Change and Future Marine Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity

South Asian Nitrogen Hub

Atlantic Ecosystem Assessment, Forecasting and Sustainability (AtlantECO)

Copernicus Evolution: Research for harmonised and Transitional water Observation (CERTO)

The Economics of Marine Plastic Pollution: What are the Benefits of International Cooperation

Biological Pump and Carbon Exchange Processes (BICEP)

Pathways Of Dispersal for Cholera And Solution Tools (PODCAST)

Removing marine microplastics with mussel power

Artificial Light in Coastal Ecosystems (ALICE)

Changing Arctic Carbon cycle in the cOastal Ocean Near-shore (CACOON)

Pathways and emissions of climate-relevant trace gases in a changing Arctic Ocean (PETRA)

Rehabilitation of Vibrio-infested waters of Lake Vembanad, funded under the India-UK Water Quality programme (REVIVAL)

Addressing Challenges of Coastal Communities through Ocean Research for Developing Economies (ACCORD)

Land ocean carbon transfer (LOCATE)

Western Channel Observatory (WCO)

Resources and Links

EASOS Marine Watch case study

Capabilities

Operational Satellite Data Processing
Automated Oil Spill Detection
Expertise in image interpretation