WIND AND CURRENT EFFECTS ON LARGE-SCALE OIL SLICKS

The relative effect of local winds and near-surface currents in determining the movement of oil slicks in coastal and shelf waters was determined from 39 surveys by Raydist-equipped helicopters during the Main Pass 41C spill off the Mississippi Delta in March 1970. Orientation of oil slicks is closely controlled by local wind direction; slicks usually form 10 deg-40 deg to the right of the wind. An easily utilized regression model for slick area and orientation as a function of wind velocity and local conditions is also presented.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Offshore Technology Conference, 7th Annual, Proceedings, V3, Houston, Texas, May 5-8, 1975.
• Corporate Authors:

  Offshore Technology Conference

  6200 North Central Expressway
  Dallas, TX  United States  45206
• Authors:
  • Murray, S P
• Conference:
  • Offshore Technology Conference, 7th Annual, Proceedings, V3, Houston, Texas, May 5-8, 1975.
• Publication Date: 1975

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 523-533

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Dynamics; Oil spills
• Old TRIS Terms: Oil spill behavior; Oil spreading dynamics
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00129773
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Report/Paper Numbers: Pap OTC 2389 Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 10 1976 12:00AM