Representing turbulent dispersion in oil spill models

The oceanographic study of turbulent flows and its application to oil spills, was discussed. Turbulent flows, generated by breaking waves and Langmuir circulation, can significantly affect the dispersion of oil droplets. They occur at a scale that cannot be resolved by hydrodynamical models used for spill prediction. This study used sonar observations of the upper ocean flow to derive the effects of the turbulent large eddies on droplet dispersion, focusing on the horizontal dispersion of floating particles, such as strongly buoyant oil droplets. Estimates of horizontal diffusivities were obtained which could be incorporated into oil spill models. However, a study of vertical oil dispersion, which is currently in progress, was expected to provide a more realistic model for oil spill prediction. 29 refs., 1 tab., 8 figs