MODELING OIL SPILL CONTAINMENT IN COASTAL AREAS

Abstract

Floating oil containment booms represent an important part of contingency plans developed to protect sensitive shorelines and/or coastal infrastructure. These booms can however fail to effectively contain oil if improperly deployed or used during unfavorable conditions. Modeling the use of booms using different realistic scenarios can help both improve the understanding and reduce the occurrence of boom failure due to oil leakage or boom submersion. Our project is focused on improvements of shoreline defenses against marine pollution (ISDAMP) and is funded by the Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (European Commission). In order to guide planners or responders to select effective boom positions, a numerical model was developed. A high resolution integrated numerical modeling approach was implemented including a 3D hydrodynamic model, an oil dispersion model (MOHID) and a wave model (WW3). Additionally, a 3D finite-element model of the booms typically used in coastal areas (BAR3D) was developed. The originality of this approach lies in the use of a small scale (100m) resolution hydrodynamic model to apply force on a 3D boom in realistic conditions.