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More specifically, the average size of all detected slicks was 1.2 kn?. The area covered by a slick on the SAR images was 
only calculated by multiplying mean length and width of the slick. The pixel sizes of 400 m and 600 m for ERS and 
RADARSAT, respectively, were taken into account. Most detected slicks are small in size, but their total surface is 
significant compared to the covered area by the bigger slicks. 
In summary, it is important to note, the most polluted waters are found along the coast of East Malaysia and Brunei Bay 
where intensive oil exploitation activities exist causing chronic pollution to these regions. Another heavily polluted area lies 
in the Gulf of Thailand. The pollution in this area is probably due to deliberate oil discharges from ships. 
Obviously, we can point out that the use of the WWW is regarded as the suitable source for quick-look images for the 
detection of possible (oil) slicks. By comparing them to the full-resolution images, the quick-look data are most cost 
effective since they are free of charge, or available for the cost of a phone call. Further, the high-resolution SAR data and, in 
particular, multitemporal SAR data can provide good delineation of features and should allow for accurate estimates of the 
slick drifts. Drilling platforms can be surveyed perfectly by radar satellites since their positions are fixed and well known. 
However the satellite data cannot fully replace other monitoring means such as aircraft when it comes to the identification 
of polluting ships. Using satellite data, aircraft operations can be made more efficient and therefore cost effective. 
3 MONITORING OF THE CASPIAN SEA WITH ERS SAR 
Using a similar approach, an area in the Caspian Sea off the coast of Baku/Azerbaijan was chosen as the test site for ERS 
SAR surveillance, The Caspian Sea, a saltwater lake in southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia, is the largest inland 
water body in the world. It has a surface of 371,000 kn? (143,000 mi”). The Caspian Sea is about 28 m (about 92 ft) below 
sea level. This level changes from year to year. 
All Caspian states (Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan) have highly developed industries and 
agriculture. All these human activities have a substantial impact to the coastal ecosystems. Among these are accidental and 
deliberate oil pollution. It is to be noted that a certain amount of pollution is due to oil seepage. 
In this study, a set of 6 ERS SAR scenes, acquired between 1996 and 1999 were analysed for oil spill occurrences. Each 
image covers an area of 100km by 100km; the pixel spacing is 12.5m x 12.5m One example is included here. On 12-13 
May 1996, an ERS tandem pair was obtained in the coastal zone of Baku/Caspian Sea near 40.1? N and 50.5? E (Figure 1). 
  
  
     
ERS-1, 12 May 1996 ERS-2, 13 May 1996 
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Figure 1. ERS SAR images acquired on 12-13 May1996 over the coastal zone of Baku/Caspian Sea 
31 Preliminary Interpretation 
  
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXIII, Part B1. Amsterdam 2000. 297