Vol:.(1234567890)
Research Article
SN Applied Sciences
(2023) 5:158
| https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-023-05376-x
4 Conclusion
The rise in marine pollution caused by hydrocarbons
worldwide warns of the possibility that these pollutants
will persist in the environment and harm ecosystems and
human health. This study focused on the Gulf of Arzew in
Oran, where oil spills seriously threaten marine and coastal
ecosystems. The goal is to identify the areas likely to be
affected, predict when the oil will reach the coastline, and
calculate the oil weathering processes (evaporation, natural dispersion, and floating percent). The parameterization
of oil spill simulation and oil and transport processes varies significantly across the oil spill models studied. Nonetheless, almost all rely heavily on marine meteorological
forcing. Arzew’s coastal area is extremely vulnerable to oil
spills owing to the frequent use and movement of petroleum products.
The type of oil used determines the characteristics,
spread, alteration, and impact of an oil spill (NOAA 2020).
In our study, the light crude oil types ALGERIAN BLEND
and ALGERIAN CONDENSATE STATOIL evaporate relatively
quickly, with the temperature of the oil being the primary
determinant of evaporation. Within a few h, evaporation
removes most of the oil’s volatile fractions from the atmosphere, reducing the oil’s toxicity in the marine environment. However, these compounds are transferred to the
atmosphere, and the effects of evaporation can be more
toxic in some cases (e.g., large spills near densely populated areas). Furthermore, the viscosity of the remaining
stains rises (heavier oil components remain in the sea),
causing severe physical and chemical effects on the
marine environment. According to a study of coastal vulnerability to oil spills in the Gulf of Arzew, Cap Carbon,
Arzew, and Pont aux Poules have extremely high sensitivity. As a result, this study cautions against future leaks that
could harm these areas. According to simulation results,
some spilled oil washed up on the Gulf of Arzew, while
others remained at sea after 48 h. This behavior of oil in the
water and on the coast (which is particularly vulnerable
in some areas designated as areas in need of protection)
raises concerns for the marine and coastal ecosystem, seawater quality, marine organisms such as seabirds and fish,
and humans (heavily populated coastal areas). Therefore,
it is necessary to act quickly to protect these organisms.
The wind, the main driver of marine currents in our
study area, primarily forces the trajectories. The currents
in the Gulf of Arzew are primarily oriented eastward, and
the surface current plays a minor role. Their speed is very
low (8–11 cm/s), whereas the winds are very fast, reaching
up to 15 m/s in winter. Oil slicks move faster during the
winter and autumn than during the summer and spring
seasons. In inland circulation models, winds have been
confirmed as the most important driving force. Wind and
small-scale currents were the driving forces behind particle movement. The global oil spill modeling system is
complete and ready for use in real time. Without entering
details about the incident location or currents, the ADIOS
model can estimate the spilled oil’s characteristic expected
value and behavior based on the spilled oil’s physical properties and seawater.
The potentially polluted area is confined to areas within
a 10 km*10 km zone around the wreck site due to the
oil’s rapid evaporation rate, and the contaminated area is
closely associated with the surface wind. The properties of
the spilled oil determine the polluted areas. Oil-contaminated water will likely spread offshore or onshore, causing
short- and long-term damage. Model validation demonstrates that the models’ outputs are highly accurate when
the inputs are highly accurate. Mahmoud and Bagy [39]
also reported this finding [60]. The findings of this study
can be used to develop an effective contingency plan to
mitigate the future effects of marine oil pollution in the
Gulf of Arzew.
4.1 Recommendations
A technical collaboration between the Arzew port companies (PCA) and the Arzew meteorological station should be
formalized through a framework agreement. As a result,
weather forecasts for the affected area and oil slick drift
maps will be available as soon as possible. In the event
of an accident or illegal accident activity, a collaboration
between national port agencies (Maritime Traffic) and
a scientific database using Sentinel1 satellite images to
detect oil slicks on the sea surface allows the detection of
the ship responsible for the oil spill. Furthermore, it enables the enforcement of maritime traffic laws by correlating detected oil slicks with ship movement at the same
time and place. Establish a development strategy and legal
framework for this sector, increase investment, integrate
new techniques, and conduct optimization studies to
locate service stations near container doors to reduce the
risk of accidents and oil pollution.
Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank the editors
and reviewers for their valuable comments that helped improve
the manuscript’s quality. The authors also wish to thank Mr. Tahenni
Karim for his help.
Author contribution Conceptualization; Methodology; Formal analysis and investigation; Writing—preparation of the original draft; Writing—revision and editing: [Chabi Nacira]; Supervision: [Abderrahman
Bouda, Professor Nour El-Islam Bachari]; Validation: [Professor Houma
Bachari Fouzia].
Funding The authors have not disclosed any funding.
Research Article
SN Applied Sciences
(2023) 5:158
| https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-023-05376-x
4 Conclusion
The rise in marine pollution caused by hydrocarbons
worldwide warns of the possibility that these pollutants
will persist in the environment and harm ecosystems and
human health. This study focused on the Gulf of Arzew in
Oran, where oil spills seriously threaten marine and coastal
ecosystems. The goal is to identify the areas likely to be
affected, predict when the oil will reach the coastline, and
calculate the oil weathering processes (evaporation, natural dispersion, and floating percent). The parameterization
of oil spill simulation and oil and transport processes varies significantly across the oil spill models studied. Nonetheless, almost all rely heavily on marine meteorological
forcing. Arzew’s coastal area is extremely vulnerable to oil
spills owing to the frequent use and movement of petroleum products.
The type of oil used determines the characteristics,
spread, alteration, and impact of an oil spill (NOAA 2020).
In our study, the light crude oil types ALGERIAN BLEND
and ALGERIAN CONDENSATE STATOIL evaporate relatively
quickly, with the temperature of the oil being the primary
determinant of evaporation. Within a few h, evaporation
removes most of the oil’s volatile fractions from the atmosphere, reducing the oil’s toxicity in the marine environment. However, these compounds are transferred to the
atmosphere, and the effects of evaporation can be more
toxic in some cases (e.g., large spills near densely populated areas). Furthermore, the viscosity of the remaining
stains rises (heavier oil components remain in the sea),
causing severe physical and chemical effects on the
marine environment. According to a study of coastal vulnerability to oil spills in the Gulf of Arzew, Cap Carbon,
Arzew, and Pont aux Poules have extremely high sensitivity. As a result, this study cautions against future leaks that
could harm these areas. According to simulation results,
some spilled oil washed up on the Gulf of Arzew, while
others remained at sea after 48 h. This behavior of oil in the
water and on the coast (which is particularly vulnerable
in some areas designated as areas in need of protection)
raises concerns for the marine and coastal ecosystem, seawater quality, marine organisms such as seabirds and fish,
and humans (heavily populated coastal areas). Therefore,
it is necessary to act quickly to protect these organisms.
The wind, the main driver of marine currents in our
study area, primarily forces the trajectories. The currents
in the Gulf of Arzew are primarily oriented eastward, and
the surface current plays a minor role. Their speed is very
low (8–11 cm/s), whereas the winds are very fast, reaching
up to 15 m/s in winter. Oil slicks move faster during the
winter and autumn than during the summer and spring
seasons. In inland circulation models, winds have been
confirmed as the most important driving force. Wind and
small-scale currents were the driving forces behind particle movement. The global oil spill modeling system is
complete and ready for use in real time. Without entering
details about the incident location or currents, the ADIOS
model can estimate the spilled oil’s characteristic expected
value and behavior based on the spilled oil’s physical properties and seawater.
The potentially polluted area is confined to areas within
a 10 km*10 km zone around the wreck site due to the
oil’s rapid evaporation rate, and the contaminated area is
closely associated with the surface wind. The properties of
the spilled oil determine the polluted areas. Oil-contaminated water will likely spread offshore or onshore, causing
short- and long-term damage. Model validation demonstrates that the models’ outputs are highly accurate when
the inputs are highly accurate. Mahmoud and Bagy [39]
also reported this finding [60]. The findings of this study
can be used to develop an effective contingency plan to
mitigate the future effects of marine oil pollution in the
Gulf of Arzew.
4.1 Recommendations
A technical collaboration between the Arzew port companies (PCA) and the Arzew meteorological station should be
formalized through a framework agreement. As a result,
weather forecasts for the affected area and oil slick drift
maps will be available as soon as possible. In the event
of an accident or illegal accident activity, a collaboration
between national port agencies (Maritime Traffic) and
a scientific database using Sentinel1 satellite images to
detect oil slicks on the sea surface allows the detection of
the ship responsible for the oil spill. Furthermore, it enables the enforcement of maritime traffic laws by correlating detected oil slicks with ship movement at the same
time and place. Establish a development strategy and legal
framework for this sector, increase investment, integrate
new techniques, and conduct optimization studies to
locate service stations near container doors to reduce the
risk of accidents and oil pollution.
Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank the editors
and reviewers for their valuable comments that helped improve
the manuscript’s quality. The authors also wish to thank Mr. Tahenni
Karim for his help.
Author contribution Conceptualization; Methodology; Formal analysis and investigation; Writing—preparation of the original draft; Writing—revision and editing: [Chabi Nacira]; Supervision: [Abderrahman
Bouda, Professor Nour El-Islam Bachari]; Validation: [Professor Houma
Bachari Fouzia].
Funding The authors have not disclosed any funding.