Remote
Sensing
WaterMapping specializes in remote sensing of the coastal and marine environments. We have developed algorithms and technologies to maximize the information contained on satellite and aerial imagery. We specialize on detecting and mapping floating oil, either from oil spills or from natural sources like hydrocarbon seeps.
For oil spills, we collaborate with the industry and multinational agencies to rapidly detect the floating oil and emulsions. We analyze the information available to plan contingency operations and to assess the impact of oil in the environment.
Detection of oil floating on the ocean surface, and particularly thick layers of it, is crucial for emergency response to oil spills. While detection of oil on the ocean surface is possible under moderate sea-state conditions using a variety of remote-sensing methods, estimation of oil layer thickness is technically challenging.
Assessment of floating oil distribution is a crucial response function for all marine oil spills that depends heavily on remote-sensing data analysis. Some remote-sensing techniques include optical, microwave, and radar sensors that can be set up on both aircraft and satellites.