Laboratory Observations of Artificial Sand and Oil Agglomerates: Video and Velocity Data: Sea Floor Interaction Experiment Preview Video (GoPro)

Weathered oil in the surf-zone after an oil spill may mix with suspended sediments to form sand and oil agglomerates (SOA). Sand and oil agglomerates may form in mats on the scale of tens of meters (m), and may break apart into pieces between 1 and 10 centimeters (cm) in diameter. These more mobile pieces are susceptible to alongshore and cross-shore transport, and lead to beach re-oiling on the time scale of months to years following a spill. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted experiments March 10 - 13, 2014, to expand the available data on sand and oil agglomerate motion; test shear stress based incipient motion parameterizations in a controlled, laboratory setting; and directly observe SOA exhumation and burial processes. Artificial sand and oil agglomerates (aSOA) were created and deployed in a small-oscillatory flow tunnel in two sets of experiments, during which, video and velocity data were obtained. The first experiment, which was set up to help researchers investigate incipient motion, used with an immobile, rough bottom (referred to as false-floor) and the second–testing seafloor interactions–utilized with a coarse grain sand bottom (movable sand bed). Detailed information regarding the creation of the aSOA can be found in Dalyander et al. (2015). More information about the USGS laboratory experiment conducted in collaboration with the Naval Research Laboratory can be found in the associated Open File Report (OFR Number Unknown).

溢油后冲浪带（surf zone）中的风化原油可与悬浮沉积物混合，形成砂油团聚体（Sand and Oil Agglomerates, SOA）。砂油团聚体可形成数十米级的浮垫，并破碎为直径1至10厘米的碎块。此类流动性更强的碎块易受沿岸与跨岸输运作用影响，可在溢油后数月至数年的时间尺度上导致海滩再次遭受原油污染。美国地质调查局（U.S. Geological Survey, USGS）于2014年3月10日至13日开展了系列实验，旨在扩充砂油团聚体运动的现有数据集；在可控实验室环境下验证基于剪切应力的起始运动参数化方案；并直接观测砂油团聚体的出露与埋藏过程。研究人员制备了人工砂油团聚体（Artificial Sand and Oil Agglomerates, aSOA），并将其投放至小型振荡流隧道中开展两组实验，期间采集了视频与流速数据。第一组实验设置了固定粗糙床面（称为假底），用于辅助研究者探究起始运动过程；第二组实验采用粗颗粒砂质床面（可动砂床），以测试海底相互作用。关于人工砂油团聚体的制备细节，可参阅Dalyander等人（2015）的相关研究。有关此次与海军研究实验室（Naval Research Laboratory）合作开展的美国地质调查局室内实验的更多信息，可参考相关公开文件报告（Open File Report, OFR，编号未知）。