Radarsat observations and forecasting of oil slick trajectory movements

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Marghany, Maged

Affiliations: Institute of Oceanography(INOS), University College Science and Technology Malaysia(KUSTEM), 21030 Mengabnag Telipot, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

Note: [] Corresponding author. E-mail: magedupm@hotmail.com; mmm@kustem.edu.my

Abstract: RADARSAT data have a potential role for coastal pollution monitoring. This study presents a new approach to detect and forecast oil slick trajectory movements. The oil slick trajectory movements is based on the tidal current effects and Fay's algorithm for oil slick spreading mechanisms. The oil spill trajectory model contains the integration between Doppler frequency shift model and Lagrangian model. Doppler frequency shift model implemented to simulate tidal current pattern from RADARSAT data while the Lagrangian model used to predict oil spill spreading pattern. The classical Fay's algorithm was implemented with the two models to simulate the oil spill trajectory movements. The study shows that the slick lengths are effected by tidal current V component with maximum velocity of 1.4 m/s. This indicates thatoil slick trajectory path is moved towards the north direction. The oil slick parcels are accumulated along the coastline after 48 h. Theanalysis indicated that tidal current V components were the dominant forcing for oil slick spreading.

Keywords: RADARSAT data, oil spill trajectory movements, marine oil pollution, Malacca Straits

Journal: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 44-48, 2004