Two- and three-dimensional oil spill model for coastal waters

This paper presents the development and application of two-dimensional and three-dimensional oil trajectory and fate models for coastal waters. In the two-dimensional model, the oil slick is divided into a number of small grids and the properties of each grid due to spreading, advection, turbulent diffusion, evaporation and dissolution are studied. This model can predict the movement of the oil slick on the water surface. In order to simulate the distribution of oil particles in the water column, a three-dimensional oil fate model is developed based on the mass transport equation and the concentration distribution of oil particles can be solved. A comparison of numerical results with the observed data shows good conformity. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.