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Open-File Report 2010-1107

A Rapid Method for Creating Qualitative Images Indicative of Thick Oil Emulsion on the Ocean’s Surface from Imaging Spectrometer Data

By Raymond F. Kokaly, Todd M. Hoefen, K. Eric Livo, Gregg A. Swayze, Ira Leifer, Ian B. McCubbin, Michael L. Eastwood, Robert O. Green, Sarah R. Lundeen, Charles M. Sarture, Denis Steele, Thomas Ryan, Eliza S. Bradley, Dar A. Roberts, and the AVIRIS Team

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This report describes a method to create color-composite images indicative of thick oil:water emulsions on the surface of clear, deep ocean water by using normalized difference ratios derived from remotely sensed data collected by an imaging spectrometer. The spectral bands used in the normalized difference ratios are located in wavelength regions where the spectra of thick oil:water emulsions on the ocean’s surface have a distinct shape compared to clear water and clouds. In contrast to quantitative analyses, which require rigorous conversion to reflectance, the method described is easily computed and can be applied rapidly to radiance data or data that have been atmospherically corrected or ground-calibrated to reflectance. Examples are shown of the method applied to Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer data collected May 17 and May 19, 2010, over the oil spill from the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico.

First posted July 21, 2010

For additional information contact:

USGS Crustal Geophysics and Geochemistry Science Center
Box 25046, Mail Stop 964
Denver, CO 80225

http://crustal.usgs.gov/

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Suggested citation:

Kokaly, R.F., and others, 2010, A rapid method for creating qualitative images indicative of thick oil emulsion on the ocean’s surface from imaging spectrometer data: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2010–1107, 16 p.



Contents

Introduction

Reflectance spectra of oil:water emulsions and normalized difference ratios

Color-composite images indicative of oil

Acknowledgments

References Cited


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