Exploiting sunglint signatures from meris and modis imagery in combination to sar data to detect oil slicks

SAR spaceborne capability to detect marine oil spills through the damping of wind generated short gravitycapillary waves has been extensively demonstrated during the past years. In contrast, it has not yet been found any suitable method which exploits VIS/NIR imagery supporting SAR observations. To this end, we propose the use of MODIS and MERIS images acquired in sunglint conditions to reveal smoothed regions such as those affected by oil pollution. The underlying physical mechanism is based on the modification of the surface slopes distribution composing the roughened sea due the action of mineral oils. The methodology is demonstrated for a case study in the Mediterranean Sea where spills were detected by ASAR imaging.