SL Ross Environmental Research Limited
With:
University of Washington, Applied Physics Laboratory
DF Dickins Associates
For: Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement – Oil Spill Preparedness Division
Evening tests at CRREL with oil targets under ice sheet illuminated from below by the lights on the sensor package – Photo: James McCourt
The goal of this project is to develop an integrated system of sensors that could be installed on an underwater platform and used to locate spilled oil that was either: i) trapped under ice or, ii) had sunk to the bottom of the water body. The project team selected an optimal suite of sensors (including optical and acoustic). 2024 tests successfully detected oil under ice at the US Army Cold Regions Environmental Laboratory in New Hampshire and oil on the bottom of the tank using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) at the Ohmsett test basin in New Jersey. DF Dickins advised the project on oil spill scenarios, oil behavior in ice and test layout/design for the oil under ice phase. Scheduled for completion mid-2025.
