Model: OSM (Oil Spill Model)

Purpose:

The model is capable to simulate the movement, spreading and aging of the oil particles in the 3-D space.

Input data:

Requirements from other numerical models:

The specification of the above input parameters is made in a separate input file, which is read during model startup.

Output data:

Main processing steps:

The whole mass of the oil is represented by a large number of material particles or parcels, each of which represents a group of oil droplets of like size and composition.

The oil transport is described by two modules, the circulation module and the wind generated waves module. The horizontal displacement due to advection and the vertical transport of the oil are calculated using the output of the oceanographic (POM) model. The net current speed caused by linear waves (Stokes drift) is calculated using the wave model (WAM) output.

The horizontal and vertical diffusion calculations are based on Smagorinsksy formula and Mellor-Yamada 2.5 closure scheme accordingly. Both schemes are part of the standard POM model code.

The method used to characterize the evaporation of the oil has suggested by Stiver and MacKay (1984) and Stiver et al. (1989). The emulsification process is described by Riemsdijk van Eldik et al. (1986). Finally, for beaching and sedimentation processes the model uses the Gundlach approach (1987).

Documentation:

Petihakis G.I., G.N. Triantafyllou, C.G. Koutitas (2001) : Prediction and Prevention of Oil Contamination and Monitoring of the Benthic Structure and Related Fisheries in Connection with the Pollution Impact, Systems analysis Modelling Simulation, in press.

Gundlach E.R. (1987) : Oil holding capacities and removal coefficients for different shoreline types to compute simulate spills in coastal waters, Proc. Oil Spill Conf., 1987, pp. 451-457.

Reed M. (1992) : State of the art summary : Modelling of physical and chemical processes governing fate of the spilled oil. Proceedings of ASCE workshop on oil spill modeling, Charleston, South California.

Riemsdijk van Eldik J., R.J. Ogilvie, W.W.Massie (1986): MS4: Marine spill simulation software set. Process descriprions. Dept. Civil Engineering, Delft Univ. of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands, 74p.

Stiver W. and D. Mackay (1984): Evaporation rate of spills of hydrocarbons and petroleum mixtures, Envir. Sci. Technology, 18, No 11

Stiver W., W. Shiu, D. Mackay (1989) : Evaporation times and rates of specific hydrocarbons in oil spills, Envir. Sci. Technology, 23, 101-105.

Computer environment/Programming language:

UNIX / Fortran 90

Dependencies:

None.

Spatial resolution:

See documentation.

Temporal resolution:

See documentation.

Validation:

See documentation.

Accuracy:

See documentation.

Restrictions on use:

It can be used within MARSAIS for demonstration purposes.

Limitations:

N/A.

Other information:

N/A.

Contact:

OSM Model: Dr. Kostas Nittis
Address: National Centre for Marine Research, Agios Kosmas, Hellinikon, 16604 Athens, Greece
Phone: +(301) 9946161
Fax: +(301) 9946161
E-mail: knittis@ncmr.gr
WWW: NCMR home page