ASTM F2327-21

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F2327 − 15 F2327 − 21
Standard Guide for
Selection of Airborne Remote Sensing Systems for
Detection and Monitoring of Oil on Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2327; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide provides information and criteria for selection of remote sensing systems for the detection and monitoring of oil
on water.
1.2 This guide applies to the remote sensing of oil-on-water involving a variety of sensing devices used alone or in combination.
The sensors may be mounted on vessels, in helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, or aerostats.
Excluded are situations where the aircraft isare used solely as a telemetry or visual observation platform and exo-atmosphere or
satellite systems.
1.3 The context of sensor use is addressed to the extent it has a bearing on their selection and utility for certain missions or
objectives.
1.4 This guide is generally applicable for all types of crude oils and most petroleum products, under a variety of marine or fresh
water situations.
1.5 Many sensors exhibit limitations with respect to discriminating the target substances under certain states of weathering,
lighting, wind and sea, or in certain settings.
1.6 This guide gives information for evaluating the capability of a remote surveillance technology to locate, determine the areal
extent, as well as measure or approximate certain other characteristics of oil spilled upon water.
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.8 Remote sensing of oil-on-water involves a number of safety issues associated with the modification of aircraft and their
operation, particularly at low altitudes. Also, in some instances, hazardous materials or conditions (for example, certain gases, high
voltages, etc.) can be involved. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use.
It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices
and determine the applicability of regulatory requirementslimitations prior to use.
1.9 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F20.16
on Surveillance and Tracking.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2015Nov. 1, 2021. Published November 2015January 2022. Originally approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 20082015
as F2327 – 08.F2327 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/F2327-15.10.1520/F2327-21.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2327 − 21
2. Significance and Use
2.1 The contributions that an effective remote sensing system can make are:
2.1.1 Provide a strategic picture of the overall spill,
2.1.2 Assist in detection of slicks when they are not visible by persons operating at, or near, the water’s surface or at night,
2.1.3 Provide location of slicks containing the most oil,
2.1.4 Provide input for the operational deployment of equipment,
2.1.5 Extend the hours of clean-up operations to include darkness and poor visibility,
2.1.6 Identify oceanographic and geographic features toward which the oil may migrate,
2.1.7 Locate unreported oil-on-water,
2.1.8 Collect evidence linking oil-on-water to its source,
2.1.9 Help reduce the time and effort for long range planning,
2.1.10 A log, or time history, of the spill can be compiled from successive data runs, and
2.1.11 A source of initial input for predictive models and for “truthing” or updating them over time.
3. Remote Sensing Equipment Capabilities and Limitations
3.1 The capability of remote sensing equipment is, in large measure, determined by the physical and chemical properties of the
atmosphere, the water, and the target oil. There may be variations in the degree of sophistication, sensitivity, and spatial resolution
of sensors using the same portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and detector technology. Sensors within a given class tend to
have the same general capabilities and typically suffer from the same limitations.
3.2 Combinations of sensors offer broader spectral coverage which, in turn, permit better probability of detection, better
discrimination, and effective operation over a broader range of weather and lighting conditions. Certain combinations, or sensor
suites, are well documented, well-documented, and their use is particularly suited to oil spill response missions.
3.3 The performance of virtually all sensors can be enhanced by a variety of real-time, near real-time or post processing techniques
applied to the acquired data or imagery. Furthermore, image or data fusion can greatly enhance the utility of the remote sensing
output or product. Similarly, there exists a variety of technological considerations and organizational ramifications that relate to
the delivery of the remote sensing information to the user.
3.4 Certain parameters need to be identified and quantified to provide an oil spill response decision-maker with all of the
information needed to best respond to a spill. These are:
3.4.1 Location—of the approximate center and edges of the spill,
3.4.2 Geometry—source or origin, total area, orientation and lengths of major and minor axes, fragmentation, and distribution,
3.4.3 Physical conditions—oil appearance, entrained debris,
3.4.4 Environmental conditions—wave height and direction; water temperature; position of oceanic fronts, convergence and
divergence zones,
3.4.5 Proximity of threatened resources, and
3.4.6 Location of response equipment.
F2327 − 21
3.4.7 Thickness or relative thickness of the slick.
3.5 Remote sensing can contribute to all of the above data needs. Depending on the spill situation and the employment of remote
sensing, some of this information may already be available, or can be determined more cost effectively cost-effectively by other
means. For example, in a response mode, or tactical employment of remote sensing, it is likely that the source, general location
and type of oil have been reported well in advance of the launch of the remote sensing platform. In a regulatory or patrol context,
this information may not be available. The spill situation influences the priorities among the elements of information and, thereby,
influences the selection priorities for sensors.
3.6 A responder may require the data on an oil spill, 24 hours per day, independent of the prevailing weather.
3.7 Information from remote sensing is required in a timely manner. Strategic or enforcement information, such as the overall
extent and location of a spill, should be available preferably within two to four hours from information gathering to presentation.
3.8 Tactical information, such as steering information for response vessels, should be available in as little as five minutes from
detection to communication. The acceptable data delivery time is a function of the dynamics of the slick, proximity to critical areas,
and the availability of clean-up resources.
3.9 Thermal imaging may provide relative thickness information useful to oil spill countermeasures, that is information that the
slick is thicker than sheen.
3.10 The passive microwave sensor is currently available to give information on oil thickness.
3.11 Table 1 lists sensors based upon their mode of operation. Summary information on their advantages and disadvantages is
presented.
3.12 Table 2 presents a summary of key attributes which generally influence the selection of remote sensing instrumentation.
3.13 Table 3 addresses the mission specific aspects of sensor selection.
4. Summary
4.1 The information presented in this guide should be considered a starting point for sensor selection. In addition to the context
of use and the attributes of the various types of sensors, the system planner will have to give due consideration to the capabilities
of the aircraft and the information needs of the users before finalizing the system design. Both sensor technology, and image and
data analysis capabilities are evolving rapidly. Some equipment is not commercially-available and requires assembly and in some
cases requires development. Up to two years lead time may be required for some equipment.
F2327 − 21
TABLE 1 Sensor Characteristics
Sensor/ Band Principal of Operation Positive Features Limitations
Visual Operate in, and near, the (human) visible Equipment is widely available, generally Oil is generally perceptible over the entire visible
spectrum (400 to 750 nm). Using photographic inexpensive, light and easily accommodated spectrum, but not uniquely so. As such, instances
films, scanners with one or more narrow band on most any aerial platform. Imagery is in of not being able to discriminate the oil from its
detectors or charge coupled devices (CCD) to every-day use and the layman can easily background, or differentiate it from other
capture an image. relate to its content. This characteristic substances or phenomena in or on the water’s
makes the imagery an excellent base for surface, lead to frequent non-detects and false
recording and presenting other data. positives. Night vision cameras may extend the
operational window, but visual technologies are
limited by available light.
Infrared While the infrared (IR) spectrum ranges from 750 Fresh oil shows a contrast to open water in Sheen may not be detectable. Other
nm to 1 mm, the bulk of the available remote the thermal infrared. This characteristic is not heterogeneities such as high seaweed or debris
sensing systems operate in the thermal or mid- unique to hydrocarbons. Slicks thicker than content, oil in or on ice, oil on beaches, etc. may
A
...