Vol.:(0123456789)
SN Applied Sciences
(2023) 5:158
| https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-023-05376-x
Research Article
Oil spill vulnerable areas in Arzew Gulf: a study case
Nacira Chabi
1
· Fouzia Houma Bachari
1
· Nour El‑Islam Bachari
2
· Abderrahmane Bouda
3
Received: 23 November 2022 / Accepted: 27 April 2023
© The Author(s) 2023
OPEN
Abstract
This study focuses on the Gulf of Arzew in Oran, an important area of the Algerian economy and the first Algerian port
in terms of hydrocarbon exports. Oil spills in this area represent a severe risk that can disrupt the marine and coastal
ecosystem. Therefore, the aim is to estimate marine waters’ vulnerability to oil pollution, which has become a significant
problem worldwide. Predictive simulations of oil slick drift, which may occur in the coastal area of Arzew in Oran, northwest Algeria, were carried out to study, prevent and map the spread of an oil spill in the context of a hypothetical oil spill.
For this purpose, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s general operational oil modeling environment
and the Automated Data Inquiry for Oil Spills were also used. The results show that approximately 29.7 km of shoreline
could potentially be impacted by oil during the winter season, with an evaporation rate of more than 74.6% of the spilled
amount. In addition, the simulation results indicate that the area could be affected in distinct ways depending on the
season, with completely different oil slick trajectories. It is important to note that no oil slick modeling work has been
done in this area to date, although oil spills represent a serious risk that can disrupt coastal resources such as fisheries,
tourism, aquatic life, and shoreline physical resources. The mapping results propose a new transposable approach to
coastal risk and could serve as a decision-making tool.
Article highlights
• The study of coastal vulnerability to oil spills in the Gulf
of Arzew reported that Cap Carbon, Arzew, and Pont
aux Poules have extremely high sensitivity.
• The heavier oil components of ALGERIAN BLEND and
ALGERIAN CONDENSATE STATOIL remain in the sea,
causing serious physical and chemical effects on the
marine environment.
• According to simulation results, some spilled oil
washed up on the Gulf of Arzew, while others remained
at sea after 48 h.
Keywords Trajectory modeling · Maritime transport · Coastal vulnerability · Algeria port · Oil spill modeling
Abbreviations
ADIOS
Automated Data Inquiry for Oil Spills
PCA
Port Company of Arzew
GNOME General National Oceanic Modeling Envirot
LNG
Liquefied Naturel Gas
LPG
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
* Nacira Chabi, nacichabienssmal@gmail.com; Fouzia Houma Bachari, bacharifouzia.ocean@gmail.com; Nour El-Islam Bachari,
bacharinouri@gmail.com; Abderrahmane Bouda, rboubnia@yahoo.fr |
1
Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Laboratory, University Campus
Dely Ibrahim, National School of Marine Sciences and Coastal Management, Algiers, Algeria.
2
Laboratory of Oceanography Biologic
and Marin Environment, Department of Ecology and Environment, University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene, Algiers,
Algeria.
3
National Maritime School, Tipaza, Algeria.
SN Applied Sciences
(2023) 5:158
| https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-023-05376-x
Research Article
Oil spill vulnerable areas in Arzew Gulf: a study case
Nacira Chabi
1
· Fouzia Houma Bachari
1
· Nour El‑Islam Bachari
2
· Abderrahmane Bouda
3
Received: 23 November 2022 / Accepted: 27 April 2023
© The Author(s) 2023
OPEN
Abstract
This study focuses on the Gulf of Arzew in Oran, an important area of the Algerian economy and the first Algerian port
in terms of hydrocarbon exports. Oil spills in this area represent a severe risk that can disrupt the marine and coastal
ecosystem. Therefore, the aim is to estimate marine waters’ vulnerability to oil pollution, which has become a significant
problem worldwide. Predictive simulations of oil slick drift, which may occur in the coastal area of Arzew in Oran, northwest Algeria, were carried out to study, prevent and map the spread of an oil spill in the context of a hypothetical oil spill.
For this purpose, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s general operational oil modeling environment
and the Automated Data Inquiry for Oil Spills were also used. The results show that approximately 29.7 km of shoreline
could potentially be impacted by oil during the winter season, with an evaporation rate of more than 74.6% of the spilled
amount. In addition, the simulation results indicate that the area could be affected in distinct ways depending on the
season, with completely different oil slick trajectories. It is important to note that no oil slick modeling work has been
done in this area to date, although oil spills represent a serious risk that can disrupt coastal resources such as fisheries,
tourism, aquatic life, and shoreline physical resources. The mapping results propose a new transposable approach to
coastal risk and could serve as a decision-making tool.
Article highlights
• The study of coastal vulnerability to oil spills in the Gulf
of Arzew reported that Cap Carbon, Arzew, and Pont
aux Poules have extremely high sensitivity.
• The heavier oil components of ALGERIAN BLEND and
ALGERIAN CONDENSATE STATOIL remain in the sea,
causing serious physical and chemical effects on the
marine environment.
• According to simulation results, some spilled oil
washed up on the Gulf of Arzew, while others remained
at sea after 48 h.
Keywords Trajectory modeling · Maritime transport · Coastal vulnerability · Algeria port · Oil spill modeling
Abbreviations
ADIOS
Automated Data Inquiry for Oil Spills
PCA
Port Company of Arzew
GNOME General National Oceanic Modeling Envirot
LNG
Liquefied Naturel Gas
LPG
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
* Nacira Chabi, nacichabienssmal@gmail.com; Fouzia Houma Bachari, bacharifouzia.ocean@gmail.com; Nour El-Islam Bachari,
bacharinouri@gmail.com; Abderrahmane Bouda, rboubnia@yahoo.fr |
1
Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Laboratory, University Campus
Dely Ibrahim, National School of Marine Sciences and Coastal Management, Algiers, Algeria.
2
Laboratory of Oceanography Biologic
and Marin Environment, Department of Ecology and Environment, University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene, Algiers,
Algeria.
3
National Maritime School, Tipaza, Algeria.