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in: OIL SPILL ALONG THE TURKISH STRAITS SEA AREA; ACCIDENTS, ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS AND PROTECTION, Ünlü, VS., Alpar, ŞB., Öztürk, B, Editor, Turkish Marine Research Foundation (Tudav), İstanbul, pp.140-156, 2018
Marine environment and ecosystems have been threatened by oil spills occurring on the sea surfaces which are mostly result of either accidents or cautious oil discharges from the ships. Integration of satellite based data and in situ observations are widely used to monitor and detect oil spills (Solberg, 2012). Visible and infrared-based remote sensing observations are significantly affected by atmospheric conditions; moreover, there are also spectral similarities between oil and water in specific parts of the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Although oil presents slightly larger reflectance than water in the visible and near infrared region; it does not exhibit characteristics absorption or reflectance features; such as, thin oil layers seem in similar colour. These limitations should be overcome by using different remote sensing systems to accurately detect and map the oil spills (Fingas and Brown, 2018; Gazioğlu, 2018; Leifer et al., 2012). Although hyperspectral data and analyses are thought to be promising in determining oil pollution, processes that examine specific spectral regions are known to not increase discrimination. Laser fluorosensors are another alternative remote sensing technology to detect oils considering the fact that after the interaction of oil compounds with ultraviolet light; some light energy is absorbed and extra energy is released as visible light (Brown, 2017). However, in addition to being used as remote sensing technology, it is necessary to define numerous features related to the marine environment. The fact that optical systems and laser fluorosensors, under any circumstances, fail to perform in a suitable, acceptable and efficient manner, allows the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems to be preferred to provide high standards under all conditions (Doğan et al., 1998). Active remote sensing systems such as SAR have been commonly used to detect oil spill with their advantages of covering wide areas, operating in all-weather conditions either day or night (Şeker et al., 2013). SAR images could complement aircraft observations to cover larger areas in a short time and cost-effectively. Slicks on the sea surface are effective in dampening capillary waves (cm wavelength) therefore having smoother surface conditions in contrast to approximate sea surface conditions. In order to prevent oil spills and cope with oil spill based disasters, it is important to have an oil spill surveillance system. Location and extent of oil spills could be determined promptly and accurately using remote sensing technologies which in turn provide valuable information to monitor oil spills and minimize their damages to ocean ecosystem