Interactive visualization of marine pollution monitoring and forecasting data via a Web-based GIS

This work implements a Web-based Geographic Information System (Web GIS) for an existing oil spill monitoring and forecasting service, developed in the framework of the MARCOAST project. This is achieved by remotely presenting the results of the oil spill forecasting module via a dedicated Web GIS, which allows authenticated end users to view the simulation results in a geographical context. A number of Web GIS technologies for presentation of dissimilar types of semi-dynamic geographic data are applied and their respective capabilities for publishing and remote presentation of interactive geospatial information, such as oil spill spread animation overlaid on background data (terrain elevation data, satellite imagery, etc.), are described. More specifically, technologies like ESRI® ArcIMS® (Arc Internet Map Server) and Open Source GeoServer with OpenLayers client library are implemented. The capabilities of the system for visualization and mapping are illustrated by specific applications concerning the spreading scenarios of oil spills in two selected areas of the Aegean Sea, Greece. The presented Web GIS offers added value in the form of providing the end user with comprehensive and synthetic, both spatial and temporal, environmental information through a remotely customizable user-friendly graphical interface. In this context, its integration to a marine pollution monitoring and forecasting system could result in an enhanced pollution awareness and emergency management tool.