Mathematical modelling of oil spill weathering processes for contingency planning in Izmit Bay

Abstract

One of the main oil refineries in Turkey is located in Izmit. This results in a high volume of crude oil and oil products handled in Izmit ports. The region is consequently at a very high risk for oil pollution. Due to the destructive effects of oil on the various segments of the environment, comprehensive preventive measures for crisis management related to potential oil spill scenarios are necessary to minimize the contaminated areas. In this study, hydrodynamic data are obtained from the HYDROTAM3D, and 36 oil spill scenarios, which involve Basrah light, Iranian light, and Russian oil, are evaluated for oil spill weathering processes using ADIOS2. Although the API values of the three different oil types are within the same range, their weathering processes are noticeably different in terms of their viscosity and density. Moreover, Basrah light oil has a higher evaporation and viscosity increase rate compared to the other two types of oil. Of the three types of oil, the Basrah light is the most likely to hinder recovery actions. In situations of crisis management to provide efficient recovery actions, comparison of weathering modelling data for each handled oil type is necessary for oil spill contingency planning.