Imaging Airborne Laser Fluorosensor

APPLICATION

  • Detection of laser-induced fluorescence of crude oils, petroleum products and water constituents.
  • Classification and mapping of crude oils, petroleum products and chemicals spilled at sea.
  • Detection of crude oils, petroleum products and chemicals floating underneath the water surface.
  • Measurements of oil film thickness over very thin (optically thin) oil layers.
  • Distinction of naturally occurring biogenic slicks from oil spills.
  • Hydrographic measurements (CDOM, turbidity, chlorophyll-a).

 

 

Left: IALFS thickness map of an oil spill.
Right: Corresponding UV image of the oil spill acquired using the IR/UV line scanner.

Remote classification of marine pollution

At present remote classification of oil spills is only possible using laser fluorosensors.

The Imaging Airborne Laser Fluorosensor System (IALFS) is a remote sensing instrument which has especially been designed to meet the requirements of different tasks of maritime surveillance and to be operated routinely as a part of modern airborne surveillance systems.

The IALFS has been operated successfully for more than 10 years onboard the two German maritime surveillance aircraft. It represents the initial product of the OPTIMARE group.