An international study analyzes the fate of oil spills in the Mediterranean Sea

The routes that oil slicks take in the Mediterranean, as a result of accidents at sea, are no longer a mystery. A new study, published in the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin, uses high-resolution numerical models to plot the trajectories and fate of oil slicks resulting from accidental spills.

The study uses marine circulation models to identify the most vulnerable areas of the Mediterranean basin. These areas include the Strait of Sicily, the northern Adriatic, and the eastern part of the basin as they are at the greatest risk of environmental impacts. The analysis considered various spill scenarios and took seasonal weather and sea conditions into account. The study provides useful tools for authorities to plan rapid, targeted interventions in case of an emergency.

The study offers a key contribution to the management and protection of environmental risks in the Mediterranean Sea, one of the most important and exposed marine areas to oil traffic, demonstrating that innovative, science-based approaches to understanding high-impact, low-probability anthropogenic disasters are critical for policymakers and local governments.