Application of Radar Satellite Data to Monitoring Ship Oil Spills in the Black Sea (2022–2024)
摘要
This chapter presents an analysis of ship oil discharges in the Black Sea for 2022–2024, based on Sentinel-1 satellite radar data and the “See the Sea” monitoring system developed at Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences. Processing approximately 5,000 radar scenes allowed us to identify spatiotemporal patterns in oil spill manifestations, distinguish them from oil “look-alikes,” and assess the anthropogenic nature of the recorded slicks. The results revealed a concentration of large, extended slicks along central shipping routes and more frequent, compact slicks in the coastal zone of the western region. Seasonal analysis revealed a peak in pollution in the spring and summer, coinciding with increased navigation activity and peculiarities of visibility of oil spills on SAR imagery. A comparison with 2009–2012 data revealed a decrease in the overall number of incidents but an increase in the average and maximum slick sizes, reflecting the transformation of shipping flows and anthropogenic pressure on the marine environment. The obtained results highlight the need to maintain regular satellite monitoring and clarify environmental risk zones for the effective management of shipping activities and the protection of the Black Sea ecosystem.