State-of-the-art review of modelling oil transport and spreading in ice covered waters

A comprehensive review on models simulating the behavior of oil when spilled in fully or partially ice-covered waters was presented. The aim of this paper, which focused on oil in stationary ice, was to identify knowledge gaps and help researchers in the future development of models. The review began with an examination of pioneering qualitative field experiments conducted in the 1970s and the development of equations for calculating the spreading rates of oil on ice. Equations developed in the 1990s described the phenomena of oil spreading under ice from the beginning of a spill to its termination, which assisted in the prediction of spread areas during accidental spills. The process of modelling oil spreading in ice-covered waters was broken down into 3 categories: (1) simulating oil movement in ice-covered fields in the presence of a water current; (2) developing an understanding of how oil spreads under ice and through the ice due to forces such as buoyancy, viscosity and surface tension; (3) the development of modelling approaches. Studies were evaluated in terms of their contributions to the 3 categories. An evaluation of the review suggested that current knowledge allows the formulation of preliminary models that can simulate the basic behaviour of oil movement in the presence of ice. However, further studies in the field and in the laboratory are needed to aid researchers in understanding what data are needed to improve simulation capability. 31 refs