150
9.4 The Next Generation of Coupled Near-Field
and Far- Field Models: Advancements
Post-DWH science has advanced the understanding of two-phase oil dynamics
released at variable pressure and temperature conditions in the deep sea and has
considered a breadth of biogeochemical processes affecting oil, gas, and dispersant
mixture fate. However, this knowledge needs to be integrated into models used for
hindcasting and forecasting the oil transport and fate from deep-sea blowouts. While
best numerical modeling practices for initialization, parameterization, inclusion of
biogeochemical processes, and hydrocarbon and fluid dynamics are still evolving
(Perlin et al. 2020), there is a need to define standards for sensitive analyses and
identify datasets for verification of these models against in situ observations
(Berenshtein et al. 2020). We identify three areas of continued progress: (1) model
parameterizations and initial conditions, including refinement of the initial DSD
and development of temporally and spatially explicit biodegradation rates; (2) simulation of explicit spatiotemporal live oil dynamics, such as degassing, dissolution,
and mostly, interaction of SSDI with flocculent aggregation; and (3) physical processes, particularly incorporation of detailed smaller-scale dynamics and turbulence, on both near- and far-field models.
The successful integration of TAMOC with the oil-CMS applied to the DWH
accident serves as building blocks of the next generation of 4D cutting-edge models
of oil transport and fate under high pressure and low temperature. Such modeling
advancements can enhance model accuracy and maximize its applications, particularly for risk assessment, response planning, and estimating trade-offs of environmental impacts and risks to responders.
Acknowledgments This research was made possible by a from the Gulf of Mexico Research
Initiative/C-IMAGE.
References
Bandara UC, Yapa PD (2011) Bubble sizes, breakup, and coalescence in Deepwater gas/oil plumes.
J Hydraul Eng 137(7). https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0000380
Berenshtein I, Perlin N, Ainsworth C, Ortega-Ortiz J, Vaz AC, Paris CB (2020) Comparison of
the spatial extent, impacts to shorelines and ecosystem, and 4-dimensional characteristics of
simulated oil spills (Chap. 20). In: Murawski SA, Ainsworth C, Gilbert S, Hollander D, Paris
CB, Schlüter M, Wetzel D (eds) Scenarios and responses to future deep oil spills: fighting the
next war. Springer, Cham
Boehm P, Prince R, Murray K (2020) The importance of understanding transport and degradation
of oil and gasses from deep-sea blowouts (Chap. 6). In: Murawski SA, Ainsworth C, Gilbert S,
Hollander D, Paris CB, Schlüter M, Wetzel D (eds) Deep oil spills: facts, fate, effects. Springer,
Cham
Boufadel MC, Gao F, Zhao L, Özgökmen T, Miller R, King T, Leifer I (2018) Was the Deepwater
Horizon well discharge churn flow? Implications on the estimation of the oil discharge and droplet
size distribution. Geophys Res Lett 45(5):2396–2403. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GL076606
A. C. Vaz et al.
9.4 The Next Generation of Coupled Near-Field
and Far- Field Models: Advancements
Post-DWH science has advanced the understanding of two-phase oil dynamics
released at variable pressure and temperature conditions in the deep sea and has
considered a breadth of biogeochemical processes affecting oil, gas, and dispersant
mixture fate. However, this knowledge needs to be integrated into models used for
hindcasting and forecasting the oil transport and fate from deep-sea blowouts. While
best numerical modeling practices for initialization, parameterization, inclusion of
biogeochemical processes, and hydrocarbon and fluid dynamics are still evolving
(Perlin et al. 2020), there is a need to define standards for sensitive analyses and
identify datasets for verification of these models against in situ observations
(Berenshtein et al. 2020). We identify three areas of continued progress: (1) model
parameterizations and initial conditions, including refinement of the initial DSD
and development of temporally and spatially explicit biodegradation rates; (2) simulation of explicit spatiotemporal live oil dynamics, such as degassing, dissolution,
and mostly, interaction of SSDI with flocculent aggregation; and (3) physical processes, particularly incorporation of detailed smaller-scale dynamics and turbulence, on both near- and far-field models.
The successful integration of TAMOC with the oil-CMS applied to the DWH
accident serves as building blocks of the next generation of 4D cutting-edge models
of oil transport and fate under high pressure and low temperature. Such modeling
advancements can enhance model accuracy and maximize its applications, particularly for risk assessment, response planning, and estimating trade-offs of environmental impacts and risks to responders.
Acknowledgments This research was made possible by a from the Gulf of Mexico Research
Initiative/C-IMAGE.
References
Bandara UC, Yapa PD (2011) Bubble sizes, breakup, and coalescence in Deepwater gas/oil plumes.
J Hydraul Eng 137(7). https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0000380
Berenshtein I, Perlin N, Ainsworth C, Ortega-Ortiz J, Vaz AC, Paris CB (2020) Comparison of
the spatial extent, impacts to shorelines and ecosystem, and 4-dimensional characteristics of
simulated oil spills (Chap. 20). In: Murawski SA, Ainsworth C, Gilbert S, Hollander D, Paris
CB, Schlüter M, Wetzel D (eds) Scenarios and responses to future deep oil spills: fighting the
next war. Springer, Cham
Boehm P, Prince R, Murray K (2020) The importance of understanding transport and degradation
of oil and gasses from deep-sea blowouts (Chap. 6). In: Murawski SA, Ainsworth C, Gilbert S,
Hollander D, Paris CB, Schlüter M, Wetzel D (eds) Deep oil spills: facts, fate, effects. Springer,
Cham
Boufadel MC, Gao F, Zhao L, Özgökmen T, Miller R, King T, Leifer I (2018) Was the Deepwater
Horizon well discharge churn flow? Implications on the estimation of the oil discharge and droplet
size distribution. Geophys Res Lett 45(5):2396–2403. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GL076606
A. C. Vaz et al.