Effect of sea state parameters on oil spill trajectory and weathering process: a case study of the MV Wakashio oil spill in Mauritius

This research utilizes the WebGNOME model to highlight the importance of wind, currents, diffusion, seawater temperature, and salinity in determining the trajectory and fate of the MV Wakashio oil spill. The spill occurred on August 6, 2020, on the southeastern coast of Mauritius, and the model forecasted its movement till August 31, 2020. It is observed that finally, 58.7% of spilled oil has been beached towards the west, northwest, and southwest directions from its initial location along the shorelines of Mauritius; 31.4% evaporated, 7.9% naturally dispersed, and 1% sedimented. It was also determined that variations in seawater temperature and salinity did not significantly affect the trajectory, but they highly affected weathering process and oil viscosity. The increasing seawater temperature and salinity will cause an increasing evaporation rate and decrease the beaching of spilled oil in the ocean. The presence of diffusion causes more beaching of oil and less evaporation and natural dispersion. The study emphasizes the relevance of natural elements, real-time monitoring, and effective cleanup in oil spill response and marine ecosystem protection.