A rapid method for creating qualitative images indicative of thick oil emulsion on the ocean's surface from imaging spectrometer data

Open-File Report 2010-1107
By: , and 

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Abstract

This report describes a method to create color-composite images indicative of thick oil:water emulsions on the surface of clear, deep ocean water by using normalized difference ratios derived from remotely sensed data collected by an imaging spectrometer. The spectral bands used in the normalized difference ratios are located in wavelength regions where the spectra of thick oil:water emulsions on the ocean's surface have a distinct shape compared to clear water and clouds. In contrast to quantitative analyses, which require rigorous conversion to reflectance, the method described is easily computed and can be applied rapidly to radiance data or data that have been atmospherically corrected or ground-calibrated to reflectance. Examples are shown of the method applied to Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer data collected May 17 and May 19, 2010, over the oil spill from the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico.
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title A rapid method for creating qualitative images indicative of thick oil emulsion on the ocean's surface from imaging spectrometer data
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2010-1107
DOI 10.3133/ofr20101107
Edition -
Year Published 2010
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Contributing office(s) Crustal Geophysics and Geochemistry Science Center
Description iii, 9 p.
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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