Satellite monitoring of oil pollution in the Southeastern Baltic Sea

Abstract

The chapter shows the examples and results of satellite monitoring of oil pollution in the Southeastern Baltic Sea obtained in 2004–2012. The beginning of this work was initiated by “LUKOIL-Kaliningradmorneft” in relation to installation of the D-6 offshore platform and production of oil in spring 2004. The results clearly show that the Southeastern Baltic Sea is highly polluted by oil products, and that this is related to intense shipping activities in the region. No pollution in the vicinity of the D-6 oil platform was detected during these years. Interannual variability of the number and surface of oil spills, as well as their seasonal and diurnal variability is discussed. The problem of transboundary oil pollution transport between EEZs of Poland, Russia, and Lithuania is highlighted.