Project Team: Great Lakes Disasters Team
Team Location: NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia
Map showing the risk of diluted bitumen submergence in the Great Lakes for July 14, 2014. Image Credit: Great Lakes Disasters Team.
Authors:
Merna Saad (Christopher Newport University)
Benjamin Silliman (College of William and Mary)
Nathan Qian (College of William and Mary)
Denise Lawn (U.S. Air Force)
Frederick ÛÏJohnÛ Aulwes (U.S. Air Force)
Mentors/Advisors:
Dr. Kenton Ross (NASA DEVELOP, National Science Advisor)
Abstract:
NASA DEVELOP partnered with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program to create a response planning tool for the U.S. Coast Guard. This tool addresses a major potential concern in American energy policy: whether diluted bitumen from Canadian oil sands will submerge when spilled into the Great Lakes. Using data from NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and water surface temperature, suspended sediment concentration, and current speed data from the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, a risk factor was created. This risk factor was used to highlight areas in the Great Lakes where diluted bitumen submergence is more likely to occur. In addition, a tool was created which incorporates this data and provides an updating map service showing near real-time conditions to allow responders to plan for diluted bitumen submergence.