OIL SPILL INCIDENT MODELLING IN THE COASTAL AREAS OF AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA | Journal of Global

The oil leak episodes in the coastal areas of Nigeria's Akwa Ibom State were modelled using a Geographical Information System (GIS). Off-shore and on-shore components were included in the model. The oil spill trajectory model was utilised in the off-shore component to follow the course of oil on water flow from the source of the spill to the shoreline and the surrounding environment. The OILSPILLMAP model, which was incorporated into ArcGIS 9 software, was used to input atmospheric, climatic, and petroleum oil parameters. Oil travelled westwards from the simulated source towards the research area's beaches in Eastern Obolo and Ikot Abasi Local Government Areas, according to the trajectory model. Seasonal fluctuations in ocean currents and other tidal conditions are likely to alter this path of migration. The model's on-shore component consisted of mapping the study area's Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) based on landuse/landcover. This was utilised to depict the area's geographical characteristics and, as a result, to forecast the likely impact of an oil spill on the coastal environment. The ESI depicted the vulnerable natural resources at risk, as well as what / where to safeguard in the event of an oil spill. Stakeholders, including host communities, would be tremendously empowered by the integrated GIS-based approach developed in this work to better analyse and monitor oil spill accidents in the operating environments.

Please see the link :- https://www.ikprress.org/index.php/JOGEE/article/view/4653