Multicomponent Dispersion of Hydrocarbons at Sea: Source Term Evaluation and Hydrodynamic Simulation of the Spill

Abstract

The evaluation of the ecological consequences of spill accidents including factors such as persistence, and long-term exposure became more stringent following some notable events and still represents an up-to-date research issue. This study focuses on the possibility of proper source identification of a multi component sea spill and is motivated by actual findings of small quantities of floating and/or stranded waxy material in some areas of Liguria and Tuscany, in early summer 2017. The paper presents a thorough hydrodynamic simulation, carried out with an oil-spill Lagrangian particle model to study the trajectories of the different released material and determine its probable source. A short-cut mathematical simulation of the step-by-step process of formation by on-board activities and subsequent water interaction is proposed so as to highlight the limitations and the potential applicability of the method, also in light of setting-up early warning systems to prevent stranding of the oil slick in sensitive coast environments.