Identification of oil spills in the eastern Arabian Sea using remote sensing and assessment of vulnerable coastal...

Oil spills pose severe ecological and socio-economic threats to marine and coastal environments, particularly in the eastern Arabian Sea. This study integrates multi-year (2017-2019) remote sensing data (916 images) with the GNOME oil spill trajectory model to identify and assess undocumented spills (1190). Analysis reveals oil spill hotspots along India's west coast, influenced by offshore oil platforms, shipping activities, and international tanker routes. Seasonal simulations indicate heightened spill transport toward ecologically sensitive coastal regions of the west coast during the southwest, pre and post monsoon periods, while the northeast monsoon drives spill offshore. A case study of tarball deposits along the Gujarat coast (July 2019) suggests offshore oil fields as the primary source. Findings highlight the need for improved spill monitoring and response strategies to mitigate environmental risks. This study underscores the value of integrating remote sensing and numerical modeling for proactive oil spill management in dynamic marine environments such as eastern Arabian Sea.