Drift of submerged oil at sea

Abstract

The report presents results from a major study concerning dispersion of oil from a drifting slick at sea. The major emphasis is given to a discussion of the mechanisms governing the rate of dissipation of oil from the slick. By combining theoretical analysis and available observations from real oil spills, a model has been developed which reproduces the main aspects of the process of natural dispersion. The results have been used to evaluate the possibility of shore stranding of oil drifting subsea.