A state-of-the-art review of fate and transport of oil spills in open and ice-covered water

A state-of-the-art review of fate and transport modelling of oil spills is presented. Emphasis is placed on oil spills in ice-covered waters. The review encompasses advection, spreading, evaporation, dissolution, dispersion, emulsification, biodegradation, encapsulation, sedimentation and photo-oxidation processes. The current understanding of these processes and algorithms to describe and model them are discussed. Quantitative studies of oil spills in open and dynamic ice conditions are also reviewed. The review identifies the current knowledge gaps and future research directions.