5. Summary
The pollution risk fromoil spills is dependent on the onset timeof an
accident, the hydrodynamic conditions at sea, and the wind. Since the
hydrodynamic conditions and wind conditions are rapidly changing,
there is a high probability for error for oil spill estimation systems
based on real-time sea and wind conditions. To eliminate uncertainty
and to improve the accuracy of the estimation system, a comprehensive
risk assessment analysis should accompany the oil spill estimation system.
This study thus combines past data of the hydrodynamic and wind
conditions as well as area-specific characteristics to create a statistical
model for risk assessment. Many random oil spill trajectories are simulated
by using an oil spill estimation model with past sea data, and the
results of the simulation are statistically analyzed to predict the possible
contamination hazard caused by oil spill accidents, providing a sound
and generalized risk assessment method. By applying this method, the
pollution risk in Garorim Bay in South Korea is assessed in two aspects,
namely the impact probability and the first impact time of the spilt oil.
It should be noted that this study is based on the results of hypothetical
simulations based on past sea conditions and past oil spill accident
statistics, not on data from a specific real oil spill accident, and so this
work should not be used to assess a specific oil spill accident. Nevertheless,
our results can complement the estimation of trajectories of possible
spill accidents and could be used to formulate oil spill contamination
response and strategies. Our results also help improve our understanding
of the possible pollution risk of spill accidents.