Oil Spill Early Detection and Warning

To control damage caused by oil spills, an immediate and effective response is required. However, before any response can be mounted, the spill must be detected and responders notified. To address this need, five environmental scientists from the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SSC) in San Diego developed the “Underwater Spectroscopic Detector” that provides rapid, reliable spill detection. The invention includes fluorescence-based sensors deployed just below the water to detect increased hydrocarbon concentration. When detection occurs, a radio signal is transmitted to a base station computer and designated responders are alerted via an automated phone call. SSC San Diego entered into a licensing agreement with Applied Microsystems, a company that designs and manufactures water quality monitoring instrumentation. Applied Microsystems was able to integrate the new technology into an oil spill early warning system called Spill-Sentry. The system includes spill detection buoys for deployment in the field and a PC-based reporting/coordinating station. Buoys communicate with the base station via cable, radio or satellite and transmit data at user-defined intervals. Data are then analyzed to determine if a spill has occurred. If a spill is detected, automatic alarms notify the appropriate personnel to respond.