Assessing mobility and redistribution patterns of sand and oil agglomerates in the surf zone

Marine Pollution Bulletin
By: , and 

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Abstract

Heavier-than-water sand and oil agglomerates that formed in the surf zone following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill continued to cause beach re-oiling 3 years after initial stranding. To understand this phenomena and inform operational response now and for future spills, a numerical method to assess the mobility and alongshore movement of these “surface residual balls” (SRBs) was developed and applied to the Alabama and western Florida coasts. Alongshore flow and SRB mobility and potential flux were used to identify likely patterns of transport and deposition. Results indicate that under typical calm conditions, cm-size SRBs are unlikely to move alongshore, whereas mobility and transport is likely during storms. The greater mobility of sand compared to SRBs makes burial and exhumation of SRBs likely, and inlets were identified as probable SRB traps. Analysis of field data supports these model results.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Assessing mobility and redistribution patterns of sand and oil agglomerates in the surf zone
Series title Marine Pollution Bulletin
DOI 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.01.004
Volume 80
Issue 1-2
Year Published 2014
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 10 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Marine Pollution Bulletin
First page 200
Last page 209
Country United States
State Alabama;Florida
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