PHYSICAL PROCESSES IN THE SPREAD OF OIL ON A WATER SURFACE

Formulae are recommended for calculating the extent of the spread of oil slicks on water as a function of time. They are based on empirical measurements of spreading rates and analytical and theoretical studies of the physical processes which accelerate or retard the spread of a film. Both one-dimensional and two-dimensional (axisymmetric) slicks are treated. Comparisons of the recommended formulae are made with the limited number of field observations, both for the rate of spread and the maximum slick size.

• Corporate Authors:

  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Department of Civil Engineering, 77 Massachusetts Avenue
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02139
• Authors:
  • Fay, J A
  • Hoult, D P
• Publication Date: 1971-7

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 18 p.

Subject/Index Terms

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

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00019666
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: United States Coast Guard
• Report/Paper Numbers: Final Rpt
• Contract Numbers: DOT-CG-01381-A
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 25 1973 12:00AM