The fate of oil spilled into the marine environment is determined by weathering.?

Question

please help!!!=[

Answer 1

Not only.

Weathering is playing different role both positive and negative. If the wind is strong and there is a storm, the spill will tend to spread on a larger surface thus affecting more ecosystems. If the temperature is cold, the degradation of oil will be slow down. But the agitation of the sea is increasing the oxygen which helps the oxydation of the oil. So it is pretty good.

The hydrology is greatly affecting the spillage, the surface currents and the vertical water circulations are both very important. If the oil sinks at the sea bottom and there is no vertical currents, there will not be any oxydation. The surface currents plays also a great role in spreading the spill.

To a lesser extent, the salinity of the water is having an impact on the bio-degradation.

Finally, the main contributors to the degradation of the oil are the micro-organisms which will litterally feed on oil. These micro-organisms depends on the other factors.

Answer 2

Fate and behavior of oil in the marine environment

www.offshore-environment.com/oil.