Capturing the behaviour of oil on the metre scale: Oil convergence due to waterfronts and vertical advection

Predicting and interpreting the movement patterns of oil on the surface of water is crucial for predicting the trajectory of oil and its ultimate fate. The existing approach in oil spill models does not account for all environmental factors that influence the system dynamics of oil in water. This project will define and quantify key variables that will enhance the accuracy of computational models used to interpret the movement of oil in water. The overall goal is to develop computer models, based on satellite and drone observations, to predict the movement patterns of oil spilled in water so that appropriate options can be used by oil spill responders.