A new sensor system for airborne measurements of maritime pollution and of hydrographic parameters

Since 1986, two Dornier Do 28 D2 aircraft equipped with remote sensing instruments have been flown in the German responsibility areas of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, aiming at a continuous surveillance of maritime pollution, and at an improved guidance of oil combating operations. Starting in 1991, a new DO 228-212 aircraft will be operated with improved performance. The sensor package will be completed with a new microwave radiometer and a laser fluorosensor, which allow measuring the volume of films on the sea surface, and classifying the substance type. Moreover, parameters which are relevant for the evaluation of ecological conditions as, for example, the occurrence of plankton blooms, can be obtained. The instruments work under control of a new central operator console which performs an in-flight evaluation of the sensor data, and transmission to ships and ground stations via data down link.