Passive remote sensing of solar-induced fluorescence spectra of crude oil

The solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) of a simulated oil slick is remotely retrieved
from the infilling of the solar Fraunhofer lines of its radiance spectrum acquired
by means of a sub-nanometric spectral resolution fluorescence lidar operated in
passive mode (i.e. as a spectroradiometer). SIF data, retrieved from the infilling
of several Fraunhofer lines selected in the 390-660 nm range, were exploited to
reconstruct the oil fluorescence spectrum. This spectrum was finally compared
with laser-induced fluorescence spectra acquired on the same oil slick by using the
fluorescence lidar. The results open new prospects for the remote sensing of oils
and their classification.