Application of an integrated environmental monitoring model for natural hydrocarbon seeps in the Gulf of Mexico /

The particle tracking random walk model was applied, also,

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Venkataramaiah, Ramesh H., 1964-
Format: Thesis Book
Language:English
Published: [Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified] ; 1996.
Subjects:
Online Access:http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=743274371&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD
Description
Summary:The particle tracking random walk model was applied, also,
for determination of horizontal drifting extents and
degradation of the microlayer. Time-series of wind speed and
direction were used as input to the model along with
degradation rates derived from literature. The shape and
dimension of the microlayer detected and imaged in ERSI-SAR
image was measured and employed for evaluation of the drift
model. Longitudinal traverse analysis of microlayers from
the satellite images was applied to estimate non-nalized
spread of the microlayers. Microlaver covered waters and
pristine water transacts served as a baseline for comparison.
Global Positioning System (GPS) based surface tracking drift
buoy experiment in the study area estimated the rate of
drifting due to currents and winds. Microlayers were sampled
for geochemical analysis along the length to determine the
rate of degradation as a function of surfaced time. An
Integrated Environmental Monitoring (IEM) model was applied
to study the fate and transport of Hydrocarbon (HC) discharge
due to natural seepages in the Gulf of Mexico. The HC seeps
that are manifested as a microlayer on the ocean surface that
can be detected by remote sensing were chosen for IEM
application.
A vertical transport model based on Discrete Particle
Random Walk (DPRW) method was applied to obtain the
spreading and dispersion of HC droplets in the water
column. The horizontal extent of the spreading,
dispersion and size of the footprint on the surface were
determined from the model. Acoustic Doppler Current
Profiler (ADCP) data was used to characterize the
subsurface currents in the study area. The model was
evaluated by actual field measurements of current speed
and direction at different depths and by employing
aircraft based remote sensing images of the seep
footprints.
Item Description:Vita.
"Major Subject: Civil Engineering".
Physical Description:xii, 170 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm.
Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilms Inc.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references.