The results of experiments on radar detection of slicks, including oil slicks, at low yaw angles are described. The economic feasibility of using natural slicks at the stage of development of sensing methods, system structure and data processing algorithms is substantiated. The conducted experiments showed the ability of onshore radar to effectively detect wind slicks on the sea surface at ranges up to 7 km in a wide range of meteorological conditions. The possibility in principle of detecting oil slicks by coastal radars was shown. Detection of slicks in low wind shows the ability of radar to respond to small roughness contrast. Spots in a remote area and with weak roughness are detected using the accumulation signal. Wind slicks can be interfered with when detecting oil spills in their background. In heavy rain, slick detection is difficult due to reflection from droplets, shadowing and destruction of slicks by droplets. Environmental monitoring problems can be solved by dispatching port radars.
