One-dimensional Numerical Simulations of Oil Spill in a Coastal Bay with Delayed Removal Mechanisms

Abstract

Oil spills in marine and coastal areas can result from various activities, such as oil drilling, transportation, shipping, tank cleaning, illegal disposal of oil-contaminated or used water, and accidents like ship collisions or sinking incidents. These events result in oil slicks or tar balls that form in the sea and eventually drift towards the coast. There are many methods for addressing oil spills, such as containment, employing skimmers, chemical dispersants, bioremediation, burning, beach cleanup, environmental restoration, and monitoring and assessing long-term impacts on the shoreline. A delay in oil spill response can have severe consequences for both the environment and local economies. When oil spills occur, rapid and effective action is essential to minimize damage. Unfortunately, delays in response can exacerbate the problem and lead to more extensive environmental harm. In this research, a one-dimensional mathematical model for an oil spill in a coastal bay with delayed removal mechanisms is considered. The governing equation for an oil spill in a coastal bay with delayed removal mechanisms is introduced. The initial and boundary conditions for an oil spill in a coastal bay are also presented. A mathematical model incorporating delayed removal mechanisms is proposed. The solution of the proposed model is approximated using a finite difference method, specifically the forward time-centered space (FTCS) method. In the simulations, two scenarios are illustrated, namely, the instant removal mechanism scenarios and the delayed removal mechanism scenarios. In the instant removal mechanism scenarios, various average removal rates and basic water flow behaviors are simulated. In the delayed removal mechanism scenarios, realistic oil spill situations are considered. Therefore, the spillage rate and removal mechanism rate throughout the simulation period are analyzed. The simulation results show that the concentration of the late-coming removal mechanism leads to a poorer recovery outcome than the faster-coming removal mechanism in all scenarios. This aligns with the reality that when oil spill removal is effectively managed, the concentration of oil in the sea should decrease. The findings of this study demonstrate that, under all circumstances, delayed oil removal has more detrimental effects on seawater recovery than speedy removal. Therefore, removing oil spills quickly and effectively will significantly reduce the amount of oil in the water.