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Notes / Technical Reports

Vol. 29 No. 2 (2023)

Application of remote sensing for the detection of hydrocarbon pollution in the Peruvian coastline

  • Juan José Bernal Alvarado
Submitted
March 12, 2025
Published
2025-03-13

Abstract

Abstract
On January 15, 2022, Latin America’s largest oil spill in recent history occurred off the Peruvian coast. The Foreign Ministry announced it was the worst ecological disaster in recent times due to the sheer scale of the spill. The affected area was approximately 11,061 hectares (110.61 km2). Due to the size and location of the oil spill, remote sensing techniques were the most expedient method to obtain a quick assessment of the affected area. Accordingly, satellite imagery was used to monitor the extent and change in the oil spill. This change was measured qualitatively (visual) and quantitatively (Normalised Difference Water Index, NDWI). The quality of the results were hindered by the temporal resolution of each satellite.