Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 1
Variability of the Deepwater Horizon
Surface Oil Spill Extent and Its Relationship
to Varying Ocean Currents and Extreme
Weather Conditions
Gustavo J. Goni, Joaquin A. Trinanes, Amy MacFadyen, Davida Streett,
María Josefina Olascoaga, Marc L. Imhoff, Frank Muller-Karger
and Mitchell A. Roffer
Abstract
Satellite observations and their derived products played a key role during
theDeepwater Horizon oil spill monitoring efforts in theGulf ofMexico inApril-July
2010. These observations were sometimes the only source of synoptic information
available to monitor and analyse several critical parameters on a daily basis. These
products also complemented in situ observations and provided data to assimilate into
or validate model. The ocean surface dynamics in the Gulf of Mexico are dominated
by strong seasonal cycles in surface temperature and mixing due to convective and
storm energy, and by major currents that include the Loop Current and its associated
rings. Shelf processes are also strongly influenced by seasonal river discharge, winds,
and storms. Satellite observations were used to determine that the Loop Current
exhibited a very northern excursion (to approximately 28
ⓦ
N) during the month of
May, placing the core of this current and of the ring that it later shed at approximately
150km south of the oil spill site. Knowledge gained about the Gulf of Mexico since
the 1980s using a wide range of satellite observations helped understand the timing
and process of separation of an anticyclonic ring from the Loop Current during this
time. The surface extent of the oil spill varied largely based upon several factors,
such as the rate of oil flowing from the well, clean up and recovery efforts, and
biological, chemical, and physical processes. Satellite observations from active and
passive radars, as well as fromvisible and infrared sensors were used to determine the
surface extent of the oil spill. Results indicate that the maximum and total cumulative
areal extent were approximately 45
10
3
km
2
and 130
10
3
km
2
, respectively. The
Search WWH ::
Custom Search