About OSERIT
MUMM's OSERIT oil drift and fate model interface is a 24/7 accessible support tool for evaluation of an oil spill report by MUMM duty personnel, Coast Guard Centres and other governmental authorities involved in oil pollution response at sea or the follow-up of a (presumed) illegal pollution. The user-friendly interface allows duty personnel of these organizations to automatically obtain a first, quick simulation of the spill drift by entering, at the very least, the spill time and location.
When using the oil model interface, a simulation will be generated in near-real time that contains either (1) a forecasting of the drift (simulation of future trajectory up to 4 days), which can be used to evaluate the possible impact of an oil spill on resources at risk, or (2) a backtracking of the drift (simulation of past trajectory up to 4 days), which may facilitate the identification of the alleged polluter or pollution source – e.g. when combined with AIS data.
Disclaimer and terms of service
It is important to note that:
- Oil slicks drift away under the influence of winds, waves and ocean currents. As a result, the accuracy of the simulation depends to a large extent on the reliability of the wind, waves and current data used.
- The oil drift model interface provides basic to more advanced simulation set ups; from 2D drift-only simulations to 3D simulations that include horizontal surface spreading, natural vertical dispersion, buoyancy, weathering, etc. Some of these last processes strongly depend on oil type. As a result, the simulation accuracy relies on oil characteristics given by the user.
- In case of loss of cargo other than mineral oil (liquid or solid products) that float at the sea surface when released, or in case of drifting objects (such as containers, drums or other), the model interface can only be used to rapidly obtain a rough indication of the possible drift. In such cases it is advised to alert the MUMM duty personnel in order to obtain a more adapted simulation depending on the type of product(s) or floating object(s) that has (have) been reported.
- In any case, MUMM can be contacted for further assistance.
This tool is being offered "as-is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. By using it, you acknowledge and accept the present disclaimer and terms of service.
OSERIT development was funded by the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO) through the contract SD/NS/10A (program "Science for a Sustainable Development").