Vertical mixing in oil spill modelling

TL;DR

This paper reviews and details models for the vertical transport of oil in marine spill scenarios, emphasizing physical processes like wave entrainment, droplet rise, and turbulent mixing, crucial for accurate spill modeling.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review and implementation guidance for vertical oil transport models, including mathematical details and common numerical pitfalls.

Findings

Detailed models for wave entrainment and droplet rise

Insights into turbulent mixing effects on oil distribution

Identification of numerical pitfalls affecting model accuracy

Abstract

The main focus of marine oil spill modelling is often on where the oil will end up, i.e., on the horizontal transport. However, due to current shear, wind drag, and the different physical, chemical and biological processes that affect oil differently on the surface and in the water column, modelling the vertical distribution of the oil is essential for modelling the horizontal transport. In this work, we review and present models for a number of physical processes that influence the vertical transport of oil, including wave entrainment, droplet rise, vertical turbulent mixing, and surfacing. We aim to provide enough detail for the reader to be able to understand and implement the models, and to provide references to further reading. Mathematical and numerical details are included, particularly on the advection and diffusion of particles. We also present and discuss some common numerical pitfalls that may be a bit subtle, but which can cause significant errors.