A MODIS-based Robust Satellite Techniques for near real time oil spill detection and monitoring.

The accidental release of oil into the oceans from tankers may have remarkable ecological impact on maritime and coastal environments. Satellite remote sensing may be an useful tool for the monitoring of such a kind of marine hazards. In particular, MODIS sensor allows us a good combination of spectral-spatial-temporal resolution to provide frequent and detailed mapping of oil affected areas. Using data acquired in the first two MODIS channels, a new techniques for the near real time oil spill detection and monitoring has been recently proposed and applied, with encouraging results, to analyze several spill events. First results have, in fact, shown the potential of such an approach for a timely and continuous detection of these events. In this paper, we verify the sensitivity of such a technique in detecting also the presence of oil spill of low intensity and/or small extent, like those often related to illicit vessel discharges.