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Copernicus Browser Case Study: Oil Spills From Space

Brief description

This activity supports teachers in guiding their students to investigate oil spills and their impacts using satellite imagery. It includes exercises for data collection and analysis, which can be adapted to the specific focus chosen by the teacher and students. By using satellite data from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission, students will learn analyse these phenomena and reflect on their impacts on ecosystems and society.
Note! This activity is designed to complement the Copernicus Browser Teacher Guide, which provides more details about the platform and helps familiarise you with its features. 

Subject Biology, Geography, Physics, Environmental Sciences

Learning Objectives
  • Define bilge dumping and oil spills and explain the main differences between active and passive satellites.
  • Describe the role of Sentinel-1 satellites in detecting oil spills and ship activity.
  • Use the Copernicus Browser to explore radar imagery and identify potential bilge dumping or oil spills.
  • Examine radar patterns to differentiate between oil spills, ships, and other ocean features.
  • Assess the strengths and limitations of using satellites for environmental monitoring.
  • Develop strategies to prevent bilge dumping or oil spills and raise awareness on the issue.
Age range
14 – 18 years old
Resource available in:
English
Keywords:
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Download activity - EN

Did you know?

Bilge dumping is the intentional and often illegal release of untreated oily wastewater (bilge water) – a mixture of water, oil, and pollutants – from ships into the ocean. This practice violates regulations like MARPOL (an international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships signed by the United Nations), which permits discharge only if the oil content is below 15 parts per million (ppm) after treatment. It typically occurs due to cost-cutting measures, poor maintenance, or the absence of treatment systems, such as oily water separators. Although smaller in scale than major oil spills, frequent bilge dumping still causes significant harm to marine ecosystems, pollutes local waters, and often goes unnoticed, resulting in long-term environmental damage.

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