Modelling Of Trajectory And Fate Of Spills

Abstract

Purpose A forecast of an oil spill needs a fully operational and extremely user-friendly system. This has been developed at SMHI (The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute). It is an Internet-based system for calculation of drift and spreading of oil and chemicals. A user has access to the system via a password and is able to make forecasts 2 days ahead or a hindcast of 5 days. The area on which the system is applied is the Baltic Sea, the Kattegatt, the Skagerrak and partly the North Sea. The system is named STW, Seatrack Web. Results The forecasts of the currents are simulated in a 3-dimensional numerical model, which is in full operational drift. Currents from 16 layers are used. Concerning oil; evaporation, emulsification, sinking, stranding and dispersion are taken into account. For chemicals; sinking, mixing and spreading are calculated. Floating objects can also be forecasted and then knowledge about their depth penetration is important. It is also possible to trace where oil and other substances are coming from. The result can be shown as trajectories, animation or spot at every hour. Conclusions The system can be used by all countries around the Baltic Sea. The calculations are fast and being an Internet solution makes it very easy for SMHI to make changes in the code, which means that every country gets access to improvements immediately. The system contains models on a high theoretical level, it is easy to get access to at any time and it is extremely userfriendly. Environmental Coastal Regions III, C.A. Brebbia, G.R. Rodriguez & E. Perez Martell (Editors) © 2000 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISBN 1-85312-827-9