AN OIL SPILL DISTRIBUTION STUDY IN AN INDUSTRIAL COASTAL ZONE

KABDASLİ M. S., KAÇMAZ E., BAŞ B., OĞUZ E., BAĞCI T.

FRESENIUS ENVIRONMENTAL BULLETIN, cilt.19, ss.1935-1945, 2010 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 19
  • Basım Tarihi: 2010
  • Dergi Adı: FRESENIUS ENVIRONMENTAL BULLETIN
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1935-1945
  • Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır

Özet

Numerical modeling studies are carried out to determine the wind and current effects on oil spill distribution. The study is performed by using a simulation software named OILMAP for estimating oil spill distribution together with AQUASEA for obtaining the current pattern in the marine environment. For this purpose, various simulation scenarios are created for the Gulf of Izmit, which is an important industrial coastal zone in the north-west of Turkey. In simulation scenarios, constant and variable wind directions and speeds are used to understand the effect of these parameters on oil spill distribution. Obtained results showed that the wind speed was the dominant factor in oil spill distribution compared to the current effect regarding the closed areas representing insignificant tide heights. Also, simulation scenarios executed for continuously changing wind directions showed that wind direction variation during oil spill time span significantly affects the area of oil slicks on the water surface and onshore. It is concluded that the emergency action plans should include proper oil spill simulations by considering real time wind speed and direction data to take immediate precautions to provide sufficient and satisfactory marine protection.