Abstract
The drift and spreading of the Runner 4 oil spill in the ice-covered Gulf of Finland is analysed. The oil spill was caused by the sinking of the Dominican-registered cargo ship Runner 4 on 5 March 2006, after collision with the Malta-registered cargo ship Svjatoi Apostol Andrey. This oil spill was very difficult to detect in the first week due to severe ice conditions. Combating operations started when the wind pushed the ice floes away and the spill was observed in open sea areas. Two efforts were made to collect and control the oil spill, one during 15-19 March and the other on 9 April. A sea ice dynamics model is employed to simulate the evolution of the ice conditions. A comparison between the oil spill coverage and the sea ice movement suggests that part of the oil followed with the ice while the other part of it must have drifted together with the surface current. The observations also show that the oil was continuously leaking from the hole in the left side of the Runner 4, at least until 9 April.
Highlights
The Gulf of Finland is a brackish-water basin in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea, approximately 400 km long, 58–135 km wide, with an area of about 30 000 km2 and mean depth of 37 m
In recent years oil transportation has experienced a rapid increase with the opening of new oil terminals in the basin
The Runner 4 oil spill appeared right after the sinking, it was very difficult to detect in the first week due to severe ice conditions
Summary
The Gulf of Finland is a brackish-water basin in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea, approximately 400 km long, 58–135 km wide, with an area of about 30 000 km2 and mean depth of 37 m. Combating operations started when the wind pushed the ice floes away and the spill was observed in the open sea areas.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
