PHENOMENOLOGY AND MODELING FEATURES OF THE FUEL OIL SPILL IN THE KERCH STRAIT (FOSKS-2024)

Abstract

The phenomenology, features of behavior in the marine environment and, as a result, the specifics of modeling the spread of fuel oil after the accident of the Volgoneft tankers in the Kerch Strait in December 2024 are discussed.The Kerch Strait region and adjacent waters are characterized by significant spatial and seasonal variability in temperature and salinity fields, especially during the autumn-winter period. A notable feature of FOSKS-2024 was the prevailing hydrometeorological conditions, when, following a severe storm, an oil slick approached the sandy shore of the resort city of Anapa amid moderately strong wave activity. This caused a a significant amount of the oil spill to sink to the bottom, forming sand-oil mats. This behavior of the fuel oil is due to its high density, viscosity and adhesion. The combination of fuel oil with sand and algae resulted in the formation of conglomerates denser than seawater. These underwater sand-oil mats became a source of secondary pollution for the marine environment and coasts for several months. In the first days and weeks after the accident, continuous leakage of fuel oil was considered as a conservative scenario leading to the most adverse consequences. The results of the fuel oil spread modeling were compared with remote sensing data as well as coastal observations by rescuers and volunteers and, in general, corresponded to these observations. Modeling confirmed the spread of fuel oil from Anapa to Sevastopol. A separate consideration of the model of fuel oil leakage from broken tankers fragments explained why coastal pollution of the Crimean Peninsula was 2–3 orders of magnitude less than pollution in the Anapa agglomeration area.