Wave-Driven Transport of Surface Oil

Authors

  • Rodney J. Sobey
  • Christopher H. Barker

Keywords:

Surface oil spill, coastal currents, Eulerian transport, nearshore waves, coastal pollution

Abstract

The potential of surface gravity waves to transport a surface oil spill in coastal waters is investigated. A small wave- averaged surface current, directed with the waves toward the shore, is demonstrated. Wave-driven transport provides a natural mechanism for damaging beaching of surface oil. Theoretical predictions of wave-averaged surface drift are established from nonlinear steady wave theory, and an adaption to real sea states in nearshore regions is suggested. Coupled Eulerian transport and spectral wave models provide illustrations of spill response scenarios in the nearshore wave environment.

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Published

1997-04-05

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (1997): Journal of Coastal Research

Section

Articles

License

Authorization for personal use is granted by the Coastal Education and Research Foundation [CERF]. By submitting a manuscript, the authors agree that the copyright for their article is transferred to the publisher if the article is accepted for publication. Assignment of copyright is not required, however, from authors who work for organizations which do not permit such assignment, The copyright covers the exclusive rights to reprduce and distribute the article, inclduing reprints, photographic reproductions, microform, or any other reproductions of a similar nature, and translations.