The objectives of this study will be to advance the understanding of the effectiveness of chemical dispersants when applied to oil in ice-infested waters, specifically in slush or frazil ice conditions. This study will conduct weathering studies and dispersant effectiveness tests at meso-scale to establish the rate of change of oil properties when spilled in frazil ice and determine the potential for the use of chemical dispersants in this scenario
This project conducted crude oil weathering testing in frazil ice. The information gathered was used to calibrate and validate existing oil weathering models for oils in ice-infested waters. This model helps predict oil properties under varying environmental conditions and the estimation of the potential time window of opportunity for dispersant use if oil were to be spilled in frazil ice conditions. The project under went an external peer review.