Dark spot detection for characterization of marine surface slicks using UAVSAR quad-pol data.

Oil spills are a potential hazard, causing the deaths of millions of aquatic animals and this leaves a calamitous effect on the marine ecosystem. This research focuses on evaluating the potential of polarimetric parameters in discriminating the oil slick from water and also possible thicker/thinner zones within the slick. For this purpose, L-band UAVSAR quad-pol data of the Gulf of Mexico region is exploited.