Integrated Use of Space, Geophysical and Hyperspectral Technologies Intended for Monitoring Water Leakages in Water Supply Networks

Remote sensing has been used for water management purposes over the years. This book describes the combination of satellite imagery, in-situ spectroradiometric data and radar techniques for the identification of water leakages in the water supply network in both rural and urban areas in Cyprus. This book presents a holistic approach combining new technologies for a complete system of water distribution network leakage detection management, by combining Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Satellite Remote Sensing techniques as well Geophysical surveys such as ground penetrating radar (GPR), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and spectro-radiometric measurements, which can be used to effectively identify and monitor water leakages

Oil spill detection using optical sensors: a multi-temporal approach

Oil pollution is one of the most destructive consequences due to human activities in the marine environment. Oil wastes come from many sources and take decades to be disposed of. Satellite based remote sensing systems can be implemented into a surveillance and monitoring network. In this study, a multi-temporal approach to the oil spill detection problem is investigated. Change Detection (CD) analysis was applied to MODIS/Terra and Aqua and OLI/Landsat 8 images of several reported oil spill events, characterized by different geographic location, sea conditions, source and extension of the spill. Toward the development of an automatic detection algorithm, a Change Vector Analysis (CVA) technique was implemented to carry out the comparison between the current image of the area of interest and a dataset of reference image, statistically analyzed to reduce the sea spectral variability between different dates. The proposed approach highlights the optical sensors’ capabilities in detecting oil spills at sea. The effectiveness of different sensors’ resolution towards the detection of spills of different size, and the relevance of the sensors’ revisiting time to track and monitor the evolution of the event is also investigated

Methods for the Detection of Subterranean Methane Leakage

The development of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) has led to a plethora of industry applications. One such application for a sUAS is detecting subterranean methane leakage. The rapid detection of methane will streamline work in industries such as construction and utilities. However, prior to flying a sUAS, the optimal way to detect methane must be determined so that unknown levels of subterranean methane leakage can be detected accurately and efficiently. In this thesis, two methods were used in conjunction to optimize a sUAS method for methane detection. The primary objective was to use hyperspectral data to locate the optimal wavelengths for methane detection for use on a sUAS. This was accomplished in two parts. The first part of the study was a simulated pipeline experiment where a copper pipe and mass flow controller were used to mimic a natural pipeline leak close to the surface. The methane-stressed and healthy vegetation were measured daily using a handheld spectrometer alongside two other forms of stressed vegetation. The analysis of the data showed potentially important variation at a two band combination of wavelengths. The second part of the study used the measured hyperspectral data as targets for a combination of atmospheric models developed using the MODerate resolution atmospheric TRANsmission (MODTRAN) algorithm at a variety of currently valid sUAS altitudes of operation. This study evaluated whether altitude will affect the ability to detect methane, along with determining which wavelength combination is best for use on a sUAS. The final assessment of an optimal application was made in regards to accuracy of methane detection within the MODTRAN data, as well as the cost analysis for industries who want to implement sUAS methane detection

Quantification techniques for potential CO2 leakage from geological storage sites

AbstractCO2 storage monitoring programmes aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of the project in controlling atmospheric CO2 levels, by providing confidence in predictions of the long-term fate of stored CO2 and identifying and measuring any potentially harmful leaks to the environment. In addition, the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) treats leakages of stored CO2 from the geosphere in to the ocean or atmosphere as emissions, and as such they need to be accounted for. An escape of CO2 from storage may be detected through losses from the reservoir, or migration through the overburden, into shallow groundwater systems, through topsoil and into the atmosphere, or through a seabed into the water column. Various monitoring techniques can be deployed to detect and in some cases quantify leakage in each of these compartments. This paper presents a portfolio of monitoring methods that are appropriate for CO2 leakage quantification, with a view to minimising both uncertainties and costs

Quantification techniques for potential CO2 leakage from geological storage sites

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Study of old ecological hazards, oil seeps and contaminations using earth observation methods - spectral library for oil seep

The possibilities of remote sensing techniques in the field of the Earth surface monitoring and protection specifically for the problems caused by petroleum contaminations, for the mapping of insufficiently plugged and abandoned old oil wells and for the analysis of onshore oil seeps are described. Explained is the methodology for analyzing and detection of potential hydrocarbon contaminations using the Earth observation in the area of interest in Slovakia (Korňa) and in Czech Republic (Nesyt), mainly building and calibrating the spectral library for oil seeps. The acquisition of the in-situ field data (ASD, Cropscan spectroradiometers) for this purpose, the successful building and verification of hydrocarbon spectral library, the application of hydrocarbon indexes and use of shift in red-edge part of electromagnetic spectra, the spectral analysis of input data are clarified in the paper. Described is approach which could innovate the routine methods for investigating the occurrence of hydrocarbons and can assist during the mapping and locating the potential oil seep sites. Important outcome is the successful establishment of a spectral library (database with calibration data) suitable for further application in data classification for identifying the occurrence of hydrocarbons.Web of Science43110

The state of the art in monitoring and verification— ten years on

In the ten years since publication of the IPCC Special Report on CCS, there has been considerable progress in monitoring and verification (M&V). Numerous injection projects, ranging from small injection pilots to much larger longer-term commercial operations, have been successfully monitored to the satisfaction of regulatory agencies, and technologies have been adapted and implemented to demonstrate containment, conformance, and no environmental impact. In this review we consider M&V chiefly from the perspective of its ability to satisfy stakeholders that these three key requirements are being met. From selected project examples, we show how this was done, and reflect particularly on the nature of the verification process. It is clear that deep-focussed monitoring will deliver the primary requirement to demonstrate conformance and containment and to provide early warning of any deviations from predicted storage behaviour. Progress in seismic imaging, especially offshore, and the remarkable results with InSAR from In Salah are highlights of the past decade. A wide range of shallow monitoring techniques has been tested at many sites, focussing especially on the monitoring of soil gas and groundwater. Quantification of any detected emissions would be required in some jurisdictions to satisfy carbon mitigation targets in the event of leakage to surface: however, given the likely high security of foreseeable storage sites, we suggest that shallow monitoring should focus mainly on assuring against environmental impacts. This reflects the low risk profile of well selected and well operated storage sites and recognizes the over-arching need for monitoring to be directed to specific, measureable risks. In particular, regulatory compliance might usefully involve clearer articulation of leakage scenarios, with this specificity making it possible to demonstrate “no leakage” in a more objective way than is currently the case. We also consider the monitoring issues for CO2-EOR, and argue that there are few technical problems in providing assurance that EOR sites are successfully sequestering CO2; the issues lie largely in linking existing oil and gas regulations to new greenhouse gas policy. We foresee that, overall, monitoring technologies will continue to benefit from synergies with oil and gas operations, but that the distinctive regulatory and certification environments for CCS may pose new questions. Overall, while there is clearly scope for technical improvements, more clearly posed requirements, and better communication of monitoring results, we reiterate that this has been a decade of significant achievement that leaves monitoring and verification well placed to serve the wider CCS enterprise