Image Segmentation Using Active Contour Model and Level Set Method Applied to Detect Oil Spills

In this paper we explore image segmentation using active contours model to detect oil spills. A partial differential equation based level set method, which represents the spill surface as an implicit propagation interface, is used. Starting from an initial estimation with priori information, the level set method creates a set of speed functions to detect the position of the propagation interface. Specifically, the image intensity gradient and the curvature are utilized together to determine the speed and direction of the propagation. This allows the front interface to propagate naturally with topological changes, significant protrusions and narrow regions, giving rise to stable and smooth boundaries that discriminate oil spills from the surrounding water. The proposed method has been illustrated by experiments to detect oil spills in real images. Its advantages over the traditional image segmentation approaches have also been demonstrated.