Microwave Radiometer

MWR image showing thick oil layers of an oil spill (>50 micron). Photograph of the scanner of Optimare's MWR system.

APPLICATION

  • Detection and mapping of very thick areas oil spills
    (exceeding a layer thickness of 0.05 mm)
  • Remote measurement of oil spill thickness in the range from
    0.05 to 3 millimeters
  • Quantification of oil volume
  • Airborne support of oil spill response actions even
    above the overcast layer and in case of fog, drizzle and rain

 

Passive microwave remote sensing
of marine pollution using the MWR

OPTIMARE‘s Microwave Radiometer (MWR) is a six-channel across-track scanning microwave spectrometer which is capable of detecting and mapping oil layers exceeding a thickness of 0.05 millimeters Furthermore, this system is capable of measuring and mapping oil layer thickness in the range from 0.05 to 3 millimeters.

The detection and quantification capabilities of MWRs are invaluable in terms of oil spill response as the most critical areas of an oil spill are localized and quantified.

The MWR has been operated successfully aboard two German maritime surveillance aircraft of Dornier 228 type and three Spanish maritime surveillance aircraft of type EADS-CASA CN-235 (as at May 2012).