摘要
Oil spill models are used worldwide to provide preventive measures in assessing risks of actual and potential damage to natural resources from spills, and also in assisting coastal facilities and local authorities in their strategic development of oil spill mitigation planning and response. Numerous oil spill simulation models exist in the bibliography. They vary in complexity, applicability to location and ease of use. A synoptic presentation of the types of oil slick models internationally applied in operational mode is done, focusing on the model developed by Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The current study elaborates on that oil slick numerical model which simulates the transport and weathering (due to a number of physicochemical processes evolving with time) of an oil spill that accidentally occurred in a coastal area, coupled with a 3D hydrodynamic model. The model is applied in a semi-confined water body, namely Thermaikos Gulf, in N. Greece, which contains the Port of Thessaloniki, a potential source of accidentally spilled oil. Findings of the present study highlight the existing experience on the subject and denote the applicability of such models in either tracing the source of a spill or in predicting its path and spread, thus proving their value in real-time crisis management.