Thanks to Larissa Montas-Bravo for highlighting this

Link: Future directions in oil spill modelling

Summary:

·       A broad panel of oil spill modellers review the most important research topics.

·       Focus is on recent developments and open questions.

·       Topics include transport modelling, fate modelling, use of data, and open standards.

Following an international workshop on the topic of research needs in oil spill modeling, arranged by CRRC in Ann Arbor, MI, in September 2024, we present a review of what we find to be the most important and timely directions for oil spill trajectory and fate modeling research.

We discuss potential advances in the areas of transport (e.g., advection, diffusion, entrainment), fate (e.g., emulsification, shoreline interaction, countermeasures), uncertainty and calibration (e.g., ensemble simulations, dynamical systems tools, comparison to drifter and historical spills), as well as standardization efforts for oil spill model input and output. We argue that research in these topics will improve the quality and usefulness of oil spill models, as well as give us a better understanding of uncertainty and other limitations.

Research projects related to several topics are ongoing and we believe the others should be prioritized. Many of the topics can only be addressed through cross-disciplinary work with researchers outside the oil spill modelling community, ideally through international, collaborative efforts.