FORECASTING OIL SLICK BEHAVIOR: A PRELIMINARY GUIDE

A method for predicting the behavior of oil slicks at sea is developed using the results of current research. It permits the estimation of the growth of an oil slick due either to a sudden release of a known volume of oil, or to a continuous oil flow. Empirical observations are used as the basis for estimating slick drift due to wind and currents. The results for slick growth and drift can be combined to produce an approximate forecast of slick size and position versus time, as an aid to pollution control and cleanup activities until such time as more sophisticated modelling techniques are developed. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  United States Coast Guard

  2100 Second Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20593
• Authors:
  • Orthlieb, F L
• Publication Date: 1971-7

Media Info

• Pagination: 14 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aging (Materials); Forecasting; Gravity; Ocean waves; Oil spill cleanup; Oil spills; Oils; Surface tension; Texture; Viscosity; Water pollution; Water quality management; Wind
• Old TRIS Terms: Cg; Forccasting; Oil slicks; Oil spill behavior; Oil spreading process
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00048322
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: USCG-72107.1
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 14 1973 12:00AM