Simulation model for oil slick transport in lakes

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · Water Resour. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/WR023i010p01949· OSTI ID:5322704

Shen, H T; Yapa, P D; Petroski, M E

A computer model for simulating oil slick movement in lakes by a Lagrangian discrete parcel algorithm is presented. In this model the transformation of an oil slick due to advection, spreading, evaporation, and dissolution is considered. For open water conditions the movement of the oil slick by water current and wind is considered using the drifting factor formulation. For ice-covered conditions the drift velocity is determined according to the ice roughness and current velocity. The current distribution in the lake is determined by a rigid lid circulation model. In the spreading process the mechanical spreading of the oil slick due to the balance in inertia, gravity, viscous, and surface tension forces is considered, in addition to the dispersion of the surface oil layer. Boundary conditions along the shore are formulated according to the storage capacity of the shoreline. The model can be used for simulating either instantaneous or continuous oil spills. Sample simulations for oil spills in Lake St. Clair are presented.

• Research Organization: Clarkson Univ., Potsdam, NY
• OSTI ID: 5322704
• Journal Information: Water Resour. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Water Resour. Res.; (United States) Vol. 23:10; ISSN WRERA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900* -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ADVECTION
ALGORITHMS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CURRENTS
DISSOLUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EVAPORATION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
LAKES
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL LOGIC
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OIL SPILLS
PETROLEUM
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
SIMULATION
SURFACE WATERS
WATER CURRENTS
WIND