Kuala Lampur, April 6 -- Oil spills in seawater rarely begin as dramatic disasters. More often, they start as small leaks that go unnoticed. A minor discharge near a port, a leak from offshore equipment, or a release during transport may not look serious at first. But once oil begins to spread in seawater, the consequences can escalate quickly. Marine ecosystems may be affected, cleanup costs rise, operations may be disrupted, and in severe cases, lives and assets can be placed at risk. That is why early detection matters so much. 

Our research is driven by a simple question: how can we detect hydrocarbon pollution in seawater early enough for action to be taken before a small incident becomes a major problem? 

At present, thi...