Analysis of Oil Spill Pattern in the Osaka Bay by using the Oil Spill Prediction Model

Abstract

The oil-spill patterns in Osaka Bay area were considered by using the Oil-Spill Prediction Model, which has been developed by petroleum Associate of Japan. The simulated oil-spill patterns enables us to know the each contribution of driving factors of oil spill such as tidal current, tide-induced residual current and river-water driven flow. The oil-spill patterns are mainly determined by the force balance of wind and constant component of total current. The wind forces of over 6m/s wind speed control oil-spill patterns even at the strongest-current area in Osaka Bay. When we consider the contributions of wind forces separately from constant component of total current, the wind forces may influence on oil spill patterns greatly even the wind speeds are less than 1m/s.