Modelling of oil spills in confined maritime basins: The case for early response in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Environ Pollut
; 206: 390-9, 2015 Nov.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26253313
ABSTRACT
Oil spill models are combined with bathymetric, meteorological, oceanographic, and geomorphological data to model a series of oil spill accidents in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. A total of 104 oil spill simulations, computed for 11 different locations in the Levantine Basin, show that oil slicks will reach the coast of Cyprus in four (4) to seven (7) days in summer conditions. Oil slick trajectories are controlled by prevailing winds and current eddies. Based on these results, we support the use of chemical dispersants in the very few hours after large accidental oil spills. As a corollary, we show shoreline susceptibility to vary depending on a) differences in coastline morphology and exposure to wave action, b) the existence of uplifted wave-cut platforms, coastal lagoons and pools, and c) the presence of tourist and protected environmental areas. Mitigation work should take into account the relatively high susceptibility of parts of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Petroleum Pollution
/
Environmental Monitoring
/
Models, Theoretical
Language:
En
Journal:
Environ Pollut
Journal subject:
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
Year:
2015
Document type:
Article