Data and Calibration Challenges for Spill Response Models

Abstract

Accurate predictions of time of travel and concentration of the plume are critical for decision makers to respond to a spill. A quick response to an incident requires availability of data in a timely manner and a methodology for analysis. Data available during a spill event consist of flow and concentration of contaminants. Flow is an important component in spill response modeling because velocity, depth, width, and dispersion are calculated from this parameter. Parameters required for flow analysis may not be readily available along the downstream path of the plume. Contamination data are collected as the event unfolds; therefore, the number of samples at each monitoring location varies. Lack or unavailability of flow parameters or a small number of contaminant samples available from the spill site do not give confidence to the incident responders or decision makers about the usefulness of the results. This paper demonstrates an alternate approach, which addresses the availability, usefulness, and efficiency of data from national and transboundary databases for use in a spill model for simulating downstream transport.