Environmental sensitivity mapping for oil spill in the Amazon coast using remote sensing and GIS technology

Accidental oil spills may impact sensitive wetlands in the Amazon coast. To generate an environmental sensitivity index (ESI) maps were used: (1) JERS-1 SAR data; (2) RADARSAT-1 data in the W1 beam mode; (3) X-band mosaics of the RADAM Project; and (4) SRTM digital elevation models. As result was identified artificial structures (break water and peers) and nineteen coastal features and environments subject to oil spill. The lowest ESI was assigned to cliffs (ESI 1) and the highest to mangroves and fresh wetland zones (ESI 10a and 10b). An annual monitoring of both natural and human-induced changes would provide invaluable information for the construction of multitemporal sensitivity index maps to oil spills in different seasons and tidal cycles.