Development of Laser Fluorosensor Techniques for Remote Detection Identification and Qualification of Oil Spills in the Marine Environment - Phase III

A laser fluorosensor system and procedures were developed in two previous project phases (EL-8 1984-1986 and EL-23 1988-1990) for remotely detecting and identifying crude oils and oil based products from an airbome platform. The system was designed as an important component of an oil spill remote surveillance package for protecting L Kuwait`s marine environment from oil pollution. The proposed package contains a sidelooking airborne radar (SLAR) for detecting and mapping anomalies (e.g. oil spills) at long range (typically 20-30 km), ultraviolet and infrared (UV/IR) line scanners for high resolution mapping of spills and as a means of differentiating thick and thin regions of a spill and the laser fluorosensor for verification of the presence of oil, it`s identification and partial quantification.
The proposal pertains to the implementation of the final project phase which involves the acquisition of the complete system, it`s installation on a helicopter, it`s testing and commissioning under aibome conditions and it`s final transfer to routine operation. the proposed work also involves the initial establishment of an infra-structure within which the surveillance system will be routinely operated.