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


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

People who work in this area

Professor Ana M Queirós Professor Ana M Queirós Ocean Challenge Lead: Climate Change
Dr Andrey Kurekin Dr Andrey Kurekin Marine Earth Observation Scientist
Andy Rees Professor Andy Rees Ocean Challenge Lead: Marine Pollution
Aser Mata Aser Mata Earth Observation Scientist
Christine Pascoe Christine Pascoe Ecotoxicologist
Dr Dan Clewley Dr Dan Clewley Lead Research Software Engineer
Elaine Fileman Elaine Fileman Plankton Ecologist
Dr Elizabeth C. Atwood Dr Elizabeth C. Atwood Earth Observation Senior Scientist
Dr Elizabeth Gabe-Thomas Dr Elizabeth Gabe-Thomas Environmental Psychologist
Dr Frances Hopkins Dr Frances E. Hopkins Marine biogeochemist
Dr Gemma Kulk Dr Gemma Kulk Senior Earth Observation Scientist
Dr Gennadi Lessin Dr Gennadi Lessin Marine System Modeller
Dr James Clark Dr James Clark Marine Ecosystem Modeller
Joana Nunes Joana Nunes Benthic Ecologist
Dr Karen Tait Dr Karen Tait Microbial Ecologist
Professor Kevin Flynn Professor Kevin Flynn Plankton ecophysiology modeller
Dr Liz Talbot Dr Liz Talbot Marine Ecologist
Dr Mark Warren Dr Mark Warren Remote sensing scientist
Dr Matthew Cole Dr Matthew Cole Senior Marine Ecologist and Ecotoxicologist
Dr Océane Marcone Dr Océane Marcone Social Science Researcher
Dr Olivia Rendón Dr Olivia Rendón Senior Environmental Economist
Professor Pennie Lindeque Professor Pennie Lindeque Head of Group - Marine Ecology and Society
Dr Rachel Coppock Dr Rachel Coppock Marine Ecologist
Dr Samantha Garrard Dr Samantha Garrard Marine Ecosystem Services Researcher
Dr Sarah Breimann Dr Sarah Breimann Analytical chemist
Dr Sevrine Sailley Ecosystem modeller
Dr Shubha Sathyendranath Professor Shubha Sathyendranath MBE Merit Remote Sensing Scientist
Professor Stefan Simis Professor Stefan Simis Earth Observation Scientist (inland/coastal waters)
Dr Stefanie Broszeit Dr Stefanie Broszeit Senior marine ecosystem services scientist
Thomas Mesher Thomas Mesher Benthic Ecologist, Taxonomist and Co-Ordinator
Prof Tim Smyth Professor Tim Smyth Director of Science
Dr Victor Martinez-Vicente Dr Victor Martinez-Vicente Bio-optical oceanographer
Yuri Artioi Dr Yuri Artioli Marine Ecosystem Modeller

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