BEHAVIOUR OF OIL SPILLED IN ICE-COVERED RIVERS

Abstract

Oil, when released in water under ice, separates into droplets and rises to the ice-water interface where the oil drops coalesce to form a slick. In calm waters, the radius of the oil slick under ice is approximately proportional to 0.25 power of the elapsed time. In turbulent waters, however, the oil drops travel some distance, following the flow direction of water, before reaching the interface. The slack formed at the ice-water interface does not adhere to the ice and contains some water-in-oil emulsions. If the oil is spilled under the ice and the ice continues to grow, the oil will be sandwiched between the ice layers. (Au)