Two- and three-dimensional oil spill model for coastal waters

This paper presents the development and application of two-dimensional and three-dimensional oil trajectory and fate models for coastal waters. In the two-dimensional model, the oil slick is divided into a number of small gri ds and the properties of each grid due to spreading, advection, turbulent d iffusion, evaporation and dissolution are studied. This model can predict t he movement of the oil slick on the water surface. In order to simulate the distribution of oil particles in the water column, a three-dimensional oil fate model is developed based on the mass transport equation and the conce ntration distribution of oil particles can be solved. A comparison of numer ical results with the observed data shows good conformity. (C) 2001 Elsevie r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.