A model for the prediction of oil slick movement and spreading using cellular automata

A model for the prediction of oil slick movement and spreading, using Cellular Automata, is presented in this paper. The model is general and can predict the behaviour of oil slicks in regions with complicated boundaries. The effects of winds, surface currents, and oil evaporation have been taken into account. An algorithm for the simulation of oil slick movement and spreading, based on this model, has also been developed and has been used to simulate hypothetical oil slicks in hypothetical geographical regions. The results of the simulation are in qualitative agreement with real oil slick movement and spreading.