HyMap hyperspectral remote sensing to detect hydrocarbons

Abstract

The ability of airborne hyperspectral remote sensing methods to detect hydrocarbons was investigated by the Federal Institute of Geosciences and Natural Resources. Reference areas of defined geometry and chemical properties were prepared, e.g. sandy soil, oil-contaminated soil, grass, plastic tarpaulins. The aim of the study was to collect hyperspectral data from these areas and simultaneously determine their spectra with the infrared intelligent spectroradiometer GER Mark V IRIS. The data corrections and further processing were based on data provided by a field spectrometer. This study showed that airborne hyperspectral remote sensing can be used to detect hydrocarbons efficiently. Hydrocarbon-bearing substances are characterized by typical absorption features in the spectra. The availability of the high signal-to-noise-ratio HyMap hyperspectral imaging system permits these features to be recognized in the pixel spectra even if they are not very pronounced. Oil contaminated soil and other materials containing hydrocarbons can be detected and located directly and unambiguously by image processing focused on the spectral characteristics of hydrocarbons. By this procedure, atmospheric correction of the HyMap data is not necessary.