Weathering of oils at sea: Model/field data comparisons

The SINTEF Oil Weathering Model (OWM) has been extensively tested with resu lts from full-scale field trials with experimental oil slicks in the Norweg ian NOFO Sea trials in 1994 and 1995 and the AEA 1997 trials in UK, The com parisons between oil weathering values predicted by the model and ground-tr uth obtained from the field trials are presented and discussed. Good labora tory weathering data of the specific oil as input to the model is essential for obtaining reliable weathering predictions. Predictions provided by the SINTEF-OWM enable oil spill personnel to estimate the most appropriate "wi ndow of opportunity" for use of chemical dispersants under various spill si tuations. Pre-spill scenario analysis with the SINTEF Oil Spill Contingency and Response (OSCAR) model system, in which the SINTEF-OWM is one of sever al components, has become an important part of contingency plans as well as contingency training of oil spill personnel at refineries, oil terminals a nd offshore installations in Norway. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd, All rig hts reserved.