Contents 



Page 



Executive Summary iii 



Preface vii 



Acknowledgments viii 



List of Abbreviations xi 



1. Introduction 1 



1.1 Purpose of Report 1 



1.2 Historical Background 1 



1.3 Chronology of Events 6 



1.4 Participants 8 



2. Investigations of Physical Processes 12 



2.1 Techniques of Field Efforts 12 



2.1.1 Airborne Operations 13 



2.1.2 Ship Operations 17 



2.2 Results of Field Efforts 17 



2.2.1 Mapping 18 



2.2.2 Physical Observations 20 



2.2.3 Water Motion Measurements 22 



2.2.4 Oil Velocity 29 



2.2.5 Water Mass Measurements 31 



2.2.6 Meteorological Observations and Forecasts 32 



2.2.7 Burning of Oil 38 



2.2.8 "Tar ball" Reports 40 



2.3 Oil Trajectory Modeling Efforts 40 



2.3.1 U.S. Coast Guard Oceanographic Unit 42 



2.3.2 U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center 43 



2.3.3 Center for Experiment Design and Data Analysis 48 



2.3.4 U.S. Geological Survey Systems Analysis Group 51 



2.3.5 University of Rhode Island, Department of 



Ocean Engineering 56 



2.3.6 Summary of Initial Modeling Results 63 



3. Investigations of Chemical Processes 65 

 3.1 Basic Chemistry of Spilled Oil 65 



3.1.1 Suspended Sediments 65 



3.1.2 Evaporation 66 



3.1.3 Dissolution 67 



3.1.4 Emulsif ication 67 



3.1.5 Oxidation 67 



