COASTMAP - AN INTEGRATED MONITORING AND MODELING SYSTEM TO SUPPORT OIL-SPILL RESPONSE

One of the most difficult tasks in oil spill response modeling is to p rovide accurate estimates of the currents and winds during the spill e vent. This is typically done in an ad-hoc, subjective manner combining very limited field observations with simplified hydrodynamic and mete orological models. As an alternative an integrated environmental monit oring and modeling system, called COASTMAP, is presented. COASTMAP all ows the user to collect, manipulate, display, and archive real-time en vironmental data through an embedded geographic information system and environmental data management tools; to perform simulations with a su ite of environmental models (e.g. hydrodynamics, meteorological) in or der to predict dynamics in the operational area and to assimilate real -time data into the models to allow hindcasting, nowcasting and foreca sting. COASTMAP, operational on a personal computer, is controlled by mouse/keyboard through a series of menus and uses color graphics to pr esent model predictions (plots, graphs, animations) and the results of data analyses. The software is designed using a shell based architect ure making application to any geographic location simple and straightf orward. In the present paper, COASTMAP is linked with OILMAP to provid e a fully operational, real-time system that allows prediction of circ ulation, winds and oil spill trajectory and fate for estuarine and coa stal sea areas. System performance is illustrated by the simulation of the trajectory of oil tracking buoys during two experiments performed in the lower west passage of Narragansett Bay. Simulation results usi ng several forecast procedures, with/without real-time data, are prese nted. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.