Evolution of hyperspectral FLS®-LiDAR for marine applications

The hyperspectral FLS- LiDARs of LDI were developed as multipurpose laser remote sensing spectrometers since 1991. Various models were used in numerous research projects over the Europe onboard of research vessels and aircrafts to detect and map organic pollution, phytoplankton and photosynthetic bacteria, dissolved organic matter, water transparency, suspended solids, etc. in coastal, river, and lake environments. Recent developments were focused at the development of the FLS-LiDARs aimed for operational use. Several pre-operational pilot projects in Europe, USA and Canada allowed addressing the specific requirements of lidar installation, application, target detection and data analysis and reporting in different lidar missions. A multi-tier environmental monitoring solution is applied to combine the benefits of localized on-the-ground environmental data gathering with “big-picture” capability of an integrating survey technology based on LIF airborne remote sensing. Being anchored to and calibrated by the solid and reliable ground data, such combination allows real-time detection of pollution incidents and mapping of environmental trends over vast water systems like coastal zone, lakes and rivers. The presentation provides overview of pre-operational projects with FLS-AM LiDAR and discusses the results of operational missions with FLS-Ae LiDAR.