Characterization of an Oil Spill Along the Lebanese Coast by Satellite Images

Abstract

The Lebanon population witnessed a severe environmental problem when one of the country's largest coastal power stations in Jiyeh area was bombed on July 13, 2006. Several million gallons of fuel oil were released into the Mediterranean Sea, forming a huge oil spill. To assess the extent of the spill, two types of satellite images were used. First, the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS)-Terra images were obtained in near real-time immediately following the event and second advanced space-borne thermal emission and reflection radiometer (ASTER) images were taken about 1 month later. Results showed an oil plume with areal extent of approximately 3,100 km² shortly after the event, reaching the northern coast of Lebanon. However, after 2 months, satellite monitoring showed the geographic distribution of oil was reduced to 185 km². The bio-environmental impact of this oil spill, due to its size and hydraulic dynamics, makes a major disaster.

Keywords:

• oil spills
• environmental impact
• Lebanese coast
• satellite images

Acknowledgement

This study was a part of the Fulbright scholarship awarded to Dr. Amin Shaban. It was obtained at Boston University, Center for Remote Sensing, and funded by the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research. The collaboration between both institutes is highly appreciated. Special thanks are extended to Miss Natasha Nasreddine who introduced valuable help to accomplish this work.

Notes

∗The major oil slick that formed after 3 weeks from the first release.