A Comprehensive Compilation of Spectral Libraries for Petroleum Hydrocarbons (PHC) Encompassing VNIR-SWIR-TIR Ranges

Remote detection and mapping of surface materials using optical sensors relies predominantly on analyzing multispectral and hyperspectral imagery employing classification algorithms. The classification process involves comparing the spectra of individual pixels within the image to spectra from reference databases, commonly referred to as spectral libraries. Here, we introduce a comprehensive compilation of spectral libraries specifically tailored for petroleum hydrocarbons (PHC), meticulously crafted under controlled laboratory conditions. This compilation includes reference spectral libraries for various PHC forms, including crude oils, mineral substrate-PHC mixtures (comprising crude oils and fuels), oil-film on water, and oil-water emulsions. Data collection was conducted within the visible, near, and shortwave IR (VNIR-SWIR – 0.35–2.5 µm) spectra and thermal IR (TIR – 3–15 µm) range. The openly accessible spectral libraries presented herein support the scientific community and industry in characterizing field samples or spectral data from onshore and offshore sites. Furthermore, these libraries are instrumental in developing and applying classification algorithms designed for processing spectral images captured by cameras coupled to multiple platforms (e.g., tripods, drones, airborne, orbital satellites.