Part 1
For this, we used the GNOME program to simulate an oil spill that was similar to the Santa Barbara Oil Spill of January 28th, 1969. We were given a specific set of instructions to emulate this spill. The conditions goes as follows.
Model Run Duration: 3 days
Weather conditions: N/A
Current: Davidson current ("Relaxation state")
Wind: Variable
Spill amount: 100,000 barrels (non-weathering)
Thus, after we entered these conditions, we observed where our spill went and compared it with the actual spill.
Model Run Duration: 3 days
Weather conditions: N/A
Current: Davidson current ("Relaxation state")
Wind: Variable
- Day 1: NNW, 10 knots
- Day 2: WNW, 10 knots
- Day 3: WSW, 15 knots
Spill amount: 100,000 barrels (non-weathering)
Thus, after we entered these conditions, we observed where our spill went and compared it with the actual spill.
Part 1 Question
1. Does the spill you modeled agree with the local account of the actual Santa Barbara oil spill? List some similarities and differences between the model and the observations of the actual spill.
The spill we modeled agrees with the local account of the actual Santa Barbara spill. Both had a change in winds resulting in oil coming into the shore. However, our wind was a bit different.
The spill we modeled agrees with the local account of the actual Santa Barbara spill. Both had a change in winds resulting in oil coming into the shore. However, our wind was a bit different.
Part 2
After we created our model, we had to create the spill if it happened today. We used the same conditions in Part 1, except for the wind. We could set the wind to 10 knots, ESE for all three days, or consult the weather forecast. In this case, we consulted the weather forecast. Our conditions are as follows.
Day 1: 9 knots, N
Day 2: 8 knots, NW
Day 3: 19 knots, W
Along with recreating the oil spill, we also had to determine where to place our 10 miles of booms available and where other clean-up materials need to be loaded. The materials are coming from Los Angeles, thus taking 24 hours to get to the NOAA response station on Santa Barbara.
Day 1: 9 knots, N
Day 2: 8 knots, NW
Day 3: 19 knots, W
Along with recreating the oil spill, we also had to determine where to place our 10 miles of booms available and where other clean-up materials need to be loaded. The materials are coming from Los Angeles, thus taking 24 hours to get to the NOAA response station on Santa Barbara.
Part 2 Questions
1. Describe some of the differences between the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill and this hypothetical spill.
The Santa Barbara spill went on the southern Santa Barbara coast and harbors, but our spill went more to the west.
2. Where did the oil make landfall after the first day? How about the second and third days?
On Day 1, our spill didn't really go onto land. However, on Day 2, some oil went onto the land, and on Day 3, most of the oil went on the shores.
3. As a NOAA Oceanographer, where would you recommend the 10 miles of booms stored at Santa Barbara be deployed? Where would you send the extra resources from LA; a day's drive away?
The 10 miles of booms should be deployed near Santa Barbara on the first day. For the second day, our supplies should be sent to Santa Barbara, and on the third day, the supplies should be sent to west of Santa Barbara.
The Santa Barbara spill went on the southern Santa Barbara coast and harbors, but our spill went more to the west.
2. Where did the oil make landfall after the first day? How about the second and third days?
On Day 1, our spill didn't really go onto land. However, on Day 2, some oil went onto the land, and on Day 3, most of the oil went on the shores.
3. As a NOAA Oceanographer, where would you recommend the 10 miles of booms stored at Santa Barbara be deployed? Where would you send the extra resources from LA; a day's drive away?
The 10 miles of booms should be deployed near Santa Barbara on the first day. For the second day, our supplies should be sent to Santa Barbara, and on the third day, the supplies should be sent to west of Santa Barbara.
Part 3
After we modeled our hypothetical oil spill, we experimented with wind speed, direction and current. We recorded our results as we tested the different variables. (Current S=Current State)
Trial #Trial 1
Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 |
Wind Speed15,19, 12
6, 3, 8 10, 12, 14 9, 10, 11 |
Wind DirectS, SE, E
W, WNW, W N, NW, W N, NW, W |
Current SRelaxation
Upwelling Convergent Convergent |
Observation1. All of the oil went on the shoreline. The shore is hurt :(
2. Only a little bit of oil went on shore. 3. The oil went away from Santa Barbara, but went to another island. That island was Santa Cruz Island. 4. Here we changed the wind speed slightly, but the oil still hurt Santa Cruz Island. ;-; |
Lab Questions
1. What are some important variables in the model? Why are they important? Which do you think are the most important variables that determine where the oil will end up?
Some of the most important variables were wind speed, wind direction, and current direction. These are important because they determine where the oil will end up. I think current direction is the most important variable that determines where the oil will end up because the oil will spill into the ocean, and the currents will take it to wherever.
2. What kinds of things changed when you make changes to the wind speed and direction? What happened when you changed the current?
The oil was pushed in different directions and ended up on the shore or near an island.
3. The Channel Islands contain a delicate marine ecosystem. What kinds of conditions would threaten the Channel Islands if there were an oil spill in the Santa Barbara channel?
If there was an oil spill, the conditions that would threaten the Channel Islands are the unclean water and how the oil would stick to animals. For the unclean water, oil would block the surface of the ocean, making it harder, if not impossible, for plants to photosynthesis. When this happens, the amount of oxygen in that area slowly decreases, and ends up killing the plant due to no photosynthesis. For oil sticking, sea birds need their wings to fly. The oil coated on their wings weighs down the bird. So, to get it off, the bird tries to eat the oil. Since the oil is poisonous, the bird ends up dying or being severely affected.
4. Although this model was actually used by NOAA, it is several years old. Newer versions take several other factors into account. Can you think about other things that may affect how oil moves around that aren't modeled in this simulation and would improve the accuracy of the model?
Oil may move around by being pushed by ships that come into a port/harbor of some sort. If an oil barrel spills, there might be some oil left over in the barrel, and the barrel may be pushed by the waves.
Some of the most important variables were wind speed, wind direction, and current direction. These are important because they determine where the oil will end up. I think current direction is the most important variable that determines where the oil will end up because the oil will spill into the ocean, and the currents will take it to wherever.
2. What kinds of things changed when you make changes to the wind speed and direction? What happened when you changed the current?
The oil was pushed in different directions and ended up on the shore or near an island.
3. The Channel Islands contain a delicate marine ecosystem. What kinds of conditions would threaten the Channel Islands if there were an oil spill in the Santa Barbara channel?
If there was an oil spill, the conditions that would threaten the Channel Islands are the unclean water and how the oil would stick to animals. For the unclean water, oil would block the surface of the ocean, making it harder, if not impossible, for plants to photosynthesis. When this happens, the amount of oxygen in that area slowly decreases, and ends up killing the plant due to no photosynthesis. For oil sticking, sea birds need their wings to fly. The oil coated on their wings weighs down the bird. So, to get it off, the bird tries to eat the oil. Since the oil is poisonous, the bird ends up dying or being severely affected.
4. Although this model was actually used by NOAA, it is several years old. Newer versions take several other factors into account. Can you think about other things that may affect how oil moves around that aren't modeled in this simulation and would improve the accuracy of the model?
Oil may move around by being pushed by ships that come into a port/harbor of some sort. If an oil barrel spills, there might be some oil left over in the barrel, and the barrel may be pushed by the waves.