Determination of Oil Loss Rates from a High Seas Oil Containment Barrier

摘要

Field tests of a high seas oil containment barrier were conducted off Point Conception, California for the purpose of evaluating the barrier's oil containment efficiency under varying configurations and tow speeds. Coincident ground truth measurements of soybean oil film thickness and remote sensing imagery were acquired during the tests in order to determine the time dependent rate of oil loss and thereby establish an oil budget. Results of the study indicated that the barrier performed efficiently when towing speeds approximated .50 knots, adequately at speeds under 1.00 knot, while there was catastrophic failure at speeds over 1.00 knot. (Author)