The government project to publish the geological map of the seabed of South Korea was initiated in 1975. Over the course of 40 years, until 2015, the geological map of the seabed for the regional scale (1:250,000) covering a total area of 350,000 km2 under the jurisdiction of South Korea was successfully completed. Subsequently, starting in 2016, a new seabed mapping program for the coastal zones of South Korea at a more precise scale (1:100,000) has been in preparation.

The geological map of the seabed in South Korea comprises 5 to 8 thematic map sheets, including seabed topography, surface sediment average particle size distribution, surface sediment type distribution, and seabed surface acoustic distribution. These maps play a crucial role in various national infrastructure aspects such as resource development, defense security, educational research, and marine construction. Despite their significance, there exists a lack of public understanding and consensus regarding the necessity and importance of geological seabed maps. This is attributed to their nature as special public goods, not directly utilized by the public and not traded in the market.

In light of this, this study aims to evaluate the economic value of the geological map of the seabed, shedding light on the necessity of its preparation and emphasizing its importance. The study measures the range of applications for the geological seabed map, distinguishes consumers and beneficiaries, and quantifies the value of the geological map of the seabed in South Korea using the conditional value method—an established valuation technique for non-market goods.

How to cite: Park, J. and Um, I.: A Study on the Economic Valuation of the Korean Seabed Geological Map, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-2754, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-2754, 2024.

We present the key findings derived from two European projects, SICOMARplus and GEREMIA, which focused on ocean modeling applications to support maritime safety and to safeguard the marine environment in two regions situated in the northern part of Sardinia, Italy. These projects have supported the implementation of two operational numerical prediction systems for pollution risk management at sea, in the Bonifacio Strait and the port of Olbia. The primary beneficiaries of these tools and associated products included fishermen, yachtsmen, seafarers, and individuals working at sea, as well as emergency management entities such as the Coast Guard, port authorities, and the Italian Navy.

Both prediction systems are based on advanced coastal ocean numerical models with high spatial resolution and European cutting-edge meteorological and marine data (i.e., ECMWF and Copernicus Marine Service) to establish environmental conditions at open boundaries.

Considering the SICOMARplus project, the operational products comprise a 3-day forecast of marine parameters, like sea surface temperature, wave direction and height, current speed and direction. Additionally, the system provides Oil Stranding Time and Risk Rank Maps for the Bonifacio Strait and the entire north-western coast of Sardinia.

Regarding the GEREMIA project, the operational products include a 3-day prediction of the speed and direction of surface currents, as well as Water Age within the port of Olbia and the surrounding gulfs system. These insights into water renewal times within the port, under real-time and forecast of the meteorological and marine conditions, serve as a proxy for hazard assessment in the event of a maritime accident. This is particularly crucial when significant volumes of hydrocarbons may disperse in port waters, with implications for the tourism and economic sectors, such as bathing and aquaculture.

Both systems are equipped with web-based interactive graphical user interfaces specifically designed to access operational products, allows users to zoom in on specific areas and to setup and execute numerical simulations in on-demand mode. Users are required to provide their credentials for access to the reserved area, where, after inputting basic parameters, they can perform simulations to predict the surface transport of oil or floating pollutants in north-western Sardinia.

These prediction systems and related products, specifically designed to support stakeholders, prove invaluable in planning and managing at-sea activities, enhancing safety, and reducing potential hazards arising from unexpected accidents.

How to cite: Cucco, A., Sorgente, R., Quattrocchi, G., Simeone, S., Pes, A., Satta, A., Sinerchia, M., Perilli, A., and Ribotti, A.: Operational oceanography in ports and coastal areas, applications for the management of pollution events, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-6017, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-6017, 2024.

While land-basd sources of plastic pollution have garnered increasing attention in recent years, ocean-based sources have been less thoroughly examined. The objective of this study was to quantify and characterize the production of microplastics on the surface of fishing ropes during the operation of a hauler on a fishing boat. The simulation of the fishing process (operating the hauler) was conducted in two phases to assess quantification, size distribution, and shapes of particles produced from the fishing ropes due to mechanical abrasion with the hauler.

Initially, we simulated the fishing operation using the hauler with varying weights at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 kg (weight-varied hauler simulation, WVHS). Subsequently, we simulated the fishing operation using the hauler according to the frequency of hauler operation (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 times) with weights of 5kg and 50kg (frequency-varied hauler simulation, FVHS). All fragmented particles were identified using a FTIR microscope (Nicolet iN10 MX; Thermo Fisher Scientific) equipped with a linear array detector, employing 25 μm steps over one section (~12 × 12 mm) in reflection mode.

In the results of WVHS experiment, the abundance of fragmented particles larger than 10 mm on the surface of the PP rope increased with the weight due to mechanical abrasion. The observed values were 31±1.2 particles/m (5kg), 52±21 particles/m (20kg), 69±44 particles/m (35kg), and 77±5.7 particles/m (50kg) when lifting each weight using the hauler. The estimated regression equation was y=1.383x+15.538 (F=4.585, p=0.001). In the FVHS experiment, the abundance of produced particles peaked at 10 times and subsequently sustained a steady state in particle abundance for the 5 kg weight. For the 50 kg weight, the peak occurred at 5 times of hauler simulation, with subsequent reductions and a steady state in particle abundance. Our research offers essential information to estimate the microplastic production on fishing ropes during hauler operating, providing valuable insights into the impact of fishing activities on microplastic production in marine environments.

How to cite: Song, Y. K., Kim, U.-S., and Kim, T.-H.: Weathering effects on microplastic production in fishing rope hauler operations:  mechanical abrasion , EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-7079, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-7079, 2024.

Oil spill incidents can have a significative negative impact on coastal and marine ecosystems as well as human activities. Despite increased maritime safety, the European Maritime Safety Agency's Cleanseanet program detected a substantial increase in spills within the Mediterranean basin. The accurate prediction of the transport and transformation of the oil slick is a key aspect for assessing the impacts of the spill on coastal and marine areas. In this context, numerical oil spill modeling plays a crucial role in understanding unseen impacts and filling observational gaps. Such models are executed according to a set of physical simulation parameters, which are usually hand-picked, relying mostly on the modeler's expertise. Proper selection of such parameters is key for ensuring accurate results. This study proposes a novel technique integrating satellite observations, the Medslik-II oil spill model and Machine Learning for enhancing the oil spill results by optimizing the model parametrization. A Bayesian Optimization Framework was implemented to search for the optimal configuration through the parameter space. A real oil spill case, that occurred in the Baniyas area (Syria) in 2021, was used to validate the proposed approach. Results from early evaluation of such framework are promising and demonstrated that coupling physics- and data-driven techniques can lead to more precise risk assessment and planning for oil spill incidents.

How to cite: Atake, I., Accarino, G., Carlo, M., Elia, D., Coppini, G., and Aloisio, G.: Optimizing Medslik-II: Parametrization through a bayesian search algorithm applied at the Baniyas oil spill incident (Syria, 2021), EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-7256, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-7256, 2024.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were determined in surface marine sediments collected from the Jeddah coastal zone (Saudi Arabia), in order to assess their levels, origin, and probable toxic effects on marine organisms. Two marine areas were selected (a) the Jeddah lagoon system, which is an area with shallow depth and restricted water circulation receiving wastewater and (b) Mena Jeddah, an extensive port facility within the Islamic Port of Jeddah, influenced by various activities associated with the port operations. Sediments were collected from 10 stations and PAHs were determined by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. In total thirty-two parent and alkyl substituted compounds were quantified. High PAH concentrations, indicative of an enhanced pollutant burden, were recorded in the Jeddah Lagoon (mean value 5800 μg/kg for total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (∑PAH)), whereas PAH levels in Mena Jeddah were lower (mean value for ∑PAH 615 μg/kg). PAH mixtures were mainly composed of methyl substituted compounds at all lagoon stations, suggesting a petroleum origin, whereas PAH from combustion sources accounted for only 8.5–28.8% of ∑PAH. In contrast, pyrolytic PAHs were found at higher concentrations in Mena Jeddah, where total PAH concentrations were lower, accounting for 39–61% of total PAHs. PAH sources and transport pathways were further examined by using various molecular diagnostic ratios/indices and applying Positive Matrix Factorization, which is a multivariate statistical method capable to calculate source profiles and contributions. Low temperature combustion was found to be the most significant source of PAHs with an average contribution of 41%, followed by high temperature combustion and petrogenic sources (21%) and low MW fossil inputs (17%). Petroleum related pollution seems to predominate in Jeddah lagoons, whereas pyrolytic PAHs produced from low temperature combustion processes were dominant in Mena Jedda. To evaluate probable toxicity risks to marine organisms, PAHs concentrations were compared to sediment quality guidelines, whereas Toxicity Equivalent Quotients (TEQs) of carcinogenic PAHs relative to benzo[a]pyrene were also calculated and used for ecological risk assessment. Based on these criteria it seems that, despite the high total values of PAHs, adverse biological effects are unlikely to occur, while a low to moderate ecological risk was found in the lagoon stations.

This study has been funded by the project “Marine and Coastal Assessment Protection Study for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Coastline” made between the Saudi National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) under the leadership of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, as part of the Vision 2030 for economic growth and development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

How to cite: Hatzianestis, I., Abualnaja, Y., Parinos, C., Plakidi, E., Chourdaki, S., and Pavlidou, A.: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons distribution, origin and risk assessment in Jeddah marine coastal zone sediments, Saudi Arabia, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-8195, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-8195, 2024.

Despite the imperative to mitigate climate change, most state governments still focus on oil extraction and production. This research aims to tackle the issue of oil entering the ocean from subsurface sources, such as drilling well blowouts or pipeline failures. The objective of this study is to develop a two-stage model for subsurface oil spills. Following a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art models, we delineated a near-field 'plume' phase, where buoyant oil collectively rises, and a far-field stage, characterized by the dispersion of oil droplets through ocean currents and turbulence after reaching a terminal intrusive level due to ocean stratification. UWORM (UnderWater Oil Release Model) includes an integral Lagrangian elements plume model, validated using both laboratory-scale and real-scale experiments in the North Sea. Entrainment is calibrated, demonstrating good agreement with in-situ data and length scales corresponding to different regimes. Following near-far field coupling, Lagrangian Particle Tracking is employed for individual oil droplets via OceanParcels. Size-dependent buoyancy results in the formation of distinct clusters with varying resurfacing times. Both near and far-field components utilize Copernicus Marine Service ocean state data, incorporating 3D fields of currents, temperature, and salinity.

How to cite: Gronchi, G., Pinardi, N., Coppini, G., and Mannarini, G.: A subsurface oil spill study: integral ‘plume’ model and lagrangian oil droplets, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-9808, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-9808, 2024.

Formation of bubble clouds under breaking waves and whitecaps is a prominent phenomenon in quantifying the air-sea gas exchange process. The size distribution of bubbles will impact the bubble cloud properties such as volume, concentration, and intrusion depth over time and space. The number, size, and shape of the bubbles are highly associated with the intensity of the breaking wave (i.e., wave steepness). While for low-intensity spilling waves, the rolling surface jet and the subsequent secondary (splash-up) jets may generate clouds of bubbles with nearly similar length and time scales, however under high-intensity plunging waves, a more complicated plume-cloud of bubbles may be generated due to the frontal plunging jets. In the case of an oil spill at sea, breaking waves will also lead to breakup and entrainment of a surface slick into smaller submerged droplets.

A series of lab experiments were conducted in a linear wave flume with a piston-type wave maker, investigating bubble clouds and oil droplets and their spatial and temporal properties under 2-D spilling and plunging breakers. In this work, the SINTEF SilCam camera system with a uniform LED backlight was utilized to capture images of the bubbles and droplets at high frequency. The PyOpia open-source image processing library was enhanced and subsequently trained to capture the overlapping bubbles, droplets, and individual bubbles with highly deformed shapes.

In the present poster, results extracted from the image analysis are described. We show depth- and time-resolved size distributions for both bubbles and oil droplets. Some of the size-distribution models and scales presented in the literature, for both air bubbles and oil droplets, are examined to evaluate their performance with current data.

How to cite: Mostaani, A., Nordam, T., Davies, E. J., and Steinvik, A.: Clouds of bubbles and droplets; formation and distribution under breaking waves, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-11899, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-11899, 2024.

Accidental oil spills at sea can have severe environmental impact on the marine
environment. To help quantify the risk of petroleum activities, relevant oil
spill scenarios are simulated ahead of time, to form a picture of possible
outcomes, and to estimate needs for response equipment. Formally, an
Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) may be carried out, in which risk is
quantified by estimating the environmental consequences of different outcomes,
weighted by the probabilities of those outcomes.

Probabilities in ERA are commonly determined by ensemble simulations with an
oil spill trajectory model. Long time series of environmental data are produced
for the relevant area, and the oil spill scenario is simulated repeatedly at
different intervals within the environmental data set. Due to differences in
wind, current and other environmental parameters, the outcome of a scenario
will be different each time, and each simulation in the ensemble constitutes a
sample from the space of possible outcomes.

In this work, we run ensembles with the OSCAR oil spill model, using half a
year of data from 24 different ensemble members of an ocean model EPS (Ensemble
Prediction System) setup for the Barents Sea. We demonstrate that in addition
to the variation in outcomes from running simulations at different times, we
also get variation across the 24 different realisations of the environmental
data. Assuming that each of the ensemble members are equally likely guesses at
the ocean state, the use of the EPS data as input to the oil spill simulations
allow us to explore a larger range of possible outcomes of the oil spill.

The use of EPS in weather forecasting is already common practice, and available
to the public through ranges of uncertainty in weather apps. Given that the
transport of oil at the sea surface is to a large degree controlled by the
wind, the use of EPS data in operational oil spill modelling of ongoing events
is already possible. Making use of such data can help predict significant, but
perhaps unlikely events, such as catastrophic oiling of sensitive beaches.

How to cite: Litzler, E., Nepstad, R., Nordam, T., Röhrs, J., Christensen, K. H., and Rikardsen, E. S. U.: Oil spill risk assessment based on ocean model ensemble prediction system, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-15185, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-15185, 2024.

Ammunition dumped in the sea generates specific problems related to decision making about what will happen in the event of a leak and the consequences when it will be taken out of the sea. One of the reasons for the difficulties in making decisions is the lack of knowledge about the dumped material (it may be, for example, chemical munitions), the level of pollution in the surrounding area, and the mobility of the sediments in which it was found. Therefore, the main goal of this work is to develop a model that will be an element of the system providing information on the mobility of sediments and thus the possibility of spreading the contaminated fraction. The whole will consist of several elements, including a demonstrator for analysing the properties of sediments. An important element is to get the real value of the threshold shear stress to calculate the current speed required to resuspend individual particles or upper sediment layers. Additionally, the properties of the sediment will be determined on the basis of the in situ collected samples. All this will allow the development of a model providing information on the mobility of bottom material introduced into the sea depths and, consequently, the contaminated area. The work concerns preliminary activities, and the concept of the system along with preliminary results will be presented. At this stage, the shear stress threshold measurement also requires tuning. It is important to add that this is to be part of a larger system to support the selection of the most appropriate approach when ammunition is found in the Baltic Sea.

The results are part of the EU MARTERA project PROBANNT. Study partially financed by the National Centre for Research and Development, Poland

How to cite: Jakacki, J. and Muzyka, M.: Assessment of resuspend bottom material into the water column during the possible removal of dumped ammunition from the sea., EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-15550, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-15550, 2024.

Oxygen regime in the vicinity of the sediment-water interface (SWI) was studied with a coupled benthic-pelagic model 2DBP (Yakushev et al., 2020), that considers biogeochemical processes occurring in the water column and the sediments in the same model domain. C-N-P-Si-O-S-Mn-Fe biogeochemical model BROM describes in detail the processes of organic matter mineralization in oxygen-depleted conditions that are vitally important for assessing biogeochemical impacts (i.e., denitrification, metal reduction, sulfate reduction). This allows us to predict changes in redox conditions at the bottom as a function of seasonality (organic matter production and destruction, vertical mixing), anthropogenic (eutrophication), and climatic (temperature and mixing ) factors.

This model was applied to the Western Oslo Fjord subjected to an intensive organic waste discharge in the 1960s-1970s. In this period, it was documented the disappearance of shrimps in the bottom layer and increased primary production in the surface layer.

This work aimed to reconstruct the Oslo Fjord SWI redox conditions in the past decadal period (1930-2023). It was numerically demonstrated the interconnection between an amount of supplying with waste water organic matter and oxygen depletion processes in the bottom layer. It was shown that in the 1970s there was a shift from normoxic to anoxic conditions. It was also estimated the period of the system restoration to normoxic conditions after the improvement of the wastewater plant in the 1980s. This model can be used for analyzing the consequences of future changes under different scenarios of nutrient discharges to the Fjord.

How to cite: Berezina, A., Yakushev, E., Staalstrøm, A., and Frigstad, H.: Modeling the Oslofjord bottom oxygen regime interdecadal changes affected by increased waste water discharge in 1970s, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-21393, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-21393, 2024.

The Horizon Europe project, CONTRAST, will develop an integrated assessment and effect-based monitoring framework (IAF) to measure the impacts of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) on the marine environment, which will contribute to the assessment of Good Environmental/ Ecological Status for application in EU policy (MSFD/WFD). The IAF will involve chemical measurements together with biological effects endpoints optimised to detect the presence and effect of CECs in the marine environment. Chemical prioritisation schemes will identify the CECs that pose the greatest threat to marine life and select which CECs to target in the laboratory experiments, where the effects on organisms and biodiversity will be assessed. In silico, in vitro and in vivo bioassays will be used to determine the mechanisms of toxicity of selected CECs. Providing information on how CECs interact with organisms at environmentally relevant concentrations and which biological effects tools should be used in the IAF to cover the range of toxicity mechanisms that CECs produce. A series of European-wide case studies will be used to test the suitability of the IAF to measure the effects of chemicals including CECs on indicator species and biodiversity and to model fate of CECs in marine environment. The knowledge gained from field testing and laboratory studies will form the basis for guidance documents and policy briefs on best practices for performing an IAF on CECs in the marine environment and help to provide the necessary protection of marine ecosystems.

How to cite: Brooks, S., Martins, S., De Witte, B., Bellas, J., Hylland, K., Mauffret, A., Sturve, J., Temperley, E., Barber, J., Lipizer, M., Tsabaris, C., Yakushev, E., and Lillicrap, A.: Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Marine Environment: An Integrated Effects Assessment Approach (CONTRAST), EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-21844, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-21844, 2024.

The Port of Limassol is a critical hub for maritime transport and economic activities in Cyprus, and is prone to oil pollution incidents. The port is designated as a refuge for ships in need of assistance, and shelters a myriad of socio-economic resources. In alignment with international agreements and best practices, oil spill simulations are conducted addressing preventive measures and preparedness.

Several potential oil spill scenarios are considered for the Limassol Port Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) qualification. They include small-to-medium volume releases caused by operational activities within the port and/or at anchorage and the vessel lanes at the Limassol Bay. The port calls include container ships, general cargo vessels, passenger and pleasure craft, navy vessels, dry docks, offshore supply vessels related to oil/gas platforms, drill ships, tankers, and vehicle carriers. Given the port traffic and diversity of vessel types three oil spill scenarios are identified within the three tier levels of potential oil spills and three additional specific scenarios were requested to be simulated as part of the Limassol port OSCP. The identified possibilities for oil spill releases due to marine traffic incidents are noted to be possible and not probable. Therefore, six oil spill scenarios were computed for oil spill simulation: 1) during offloading operations within the port, 2) ship collision outside the port’s gate, 3) outside the port from a drifting vessel, 4) ship-to-ship cargo transfers, 5) vessel grounding, and 6) small fishing vessel sinking.

Results of the oil spill simulations from the six scenarios are based on the 96 simulations using the well-established MEDSLIK model for winter (January and February) and summer (July) in 2017 and 2018. Each oil spill simulation spanned 3-4 days, manifesting once per each period. Daily hydrodynamical data of the CYCOFOS forecasting domain downscaled from the Copernicus Marine Service were used, together with the hourly SKIRON winds in the Eastern Mediterranean. Mostly, more than 50% of the initial spillage reached the shoreline of Limassol Bay. The shorter first impact on the beach was less than 24 hours, followed by gradually coastal depositions accompanied by sporadic oil washing off. For the internal oil spill sources, the impact to the port breakwaters is predicted to be at the very beginning of the leakage. Mainly, 35-47% of oil evaporated within less than 20 hours, while for the emulsified engine oil the evaporation reached 55-60%. The simulations indicate that the extent of the impacted shoreline of the Limassol Bay during winter typically exceeded the summer’s extent. In the winter, the oil spills chiefly were predicted to affect the Limassol port and, secondly, the touristic shoreline of the Limassol Bay. Conversely, in the summer, heavier oil depositions are predicted on the touristic shoreline. Nevertheless, insignificant oil depositions are predicted at the entire sea front of Limassol Bay. The simulations revealed that the numerous wave breakers located along the touristic shoreline of the Limassol Bay serve as “artificial booms” and therefore are mostly coated by the spilled oil, preventing the nearby tourist beaches from direct contamination.

How to cite: Zodiatis, G., Coppini, G., Sepp Neves, A. A., Liubartseva, S., Peña, J., Nikolaidis, A., and Hadjistassou, C.: Coastal oil spill predictions for port’s Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) qualification, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-15262, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-15262, 2024.

The EU funded Iliad project builds on the assets resulting from two decades of investments in policies and infrastructures for the blue economy aiming to establish an interoperable, data-intensive, and cost-effective Digital Twin of the Ocean (DTO). Iliad DTO combines ocean observations, state-of-the-art forecast models, citizen science, AI and advanced computing infrastructures (cloud computing, HPC, Internet of Things, Big Data, social networking, and more) to create high-resolution, multi-variable and multi-dimensional near real-time virtual representations of the ocean. Continuously integrating data from numerous in-situ sensors and satellites, Iliad DTO can provide a platform for researchers, policy makers, the industry, and citizens, to monitor the impact of climate change and human activities on ocean health and productivity and make data driven management decisions for a sustainable blue economy. Several Digital Twin (DT) pilots will be undertaken in key thematic areas such as offshore wind energy, wave and tidal energy, biodiversity assessments, fisheries and aquaculture, marine pollution and more.

The current work presents the Oil Spill Response Digital Twin pilot developed in the frame of Iliad. The DT focuses on Cretan Sea and aims to provide early detection of marine oil spills and operational forecasting of spill trajectories to support immediate response to pollution events, minimizing thus the impact on marine ecosystems, coastal communities and the economy and reducing the time for environmental recovery. A multi-model approach is followed for predicting the fate and transport of oil spills, employing MEDSLIK-II and OpenDrift particle tracking models, coupled to operational, high-resolution numerical weather (WRF), hydrodynamic (NEMO) and sea state (WAVEWATCH III) models for Cretan Sea. Real-time observations (current speed/direction, sea water temperature, wave height) from novel, low-cost on-line sensors are integrated in the DT and assimilated into the operational metocean forecasting chain for validation purposes and for improving models’ forecasting skills. A near-real time automatic oil spill detection system, from Sentinel-1 SAR images, is developed, which allows early detection of marine oil spills and triggers the oil spill forecasting system, producing accurate short-term forecasting of spills’ trajectories and fate. Automatic detection and classification of oil spill events employs a trained FCOS which performs initial object detection, fine-tuned with a dataset of +1000 SAR images, including 4 different classes (oil spill, look-alike, ship, land). Image pre-processing and oil spill mask delineation is performed using SNAPpy-based (Sentinel Application Platform Python toolbox) adaptive thresholding algorithms. The oil spill detection and forecasting system is tested by reconstructing the Ulysse-Virginia oil spill, which occurred off the coast of Corsica on October 7^th, 2018. Sentinel-1 images are used to detect and delineate the coverage of the spill, to initiate Medslik-II and OpenDrift models for simulating the oil spill fate and transport. Oil spill predictions are produced using different metocean forcings, highlighting the importance of high-resolution metocean data in accurate forecasting of oil spill trajectories. Quantitative metrics are used to evaluate the ability of the oil spill models to reproduce the satellite oil spill observations. 

Acknowledgement: This research has received funding from the European Union’s H2020 RIA programme under GA No 101037643.

How to cite: Spanoudaki, K., Outmani, S., Quarta, M. L., Vettorello, L., Fazzini, N., Kozyrakis, G. V., Metheniti, V., Folegani, M., and Kampanis, N.: A near-real time oil spill detection and forecasting system for Iliad Digital Twins of the Ocean, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-20977, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-20977, 2024.