Scientists Testing Oil Movement at Ohmsett
NOVEMBER 2, 2020 — OR&R Senior Scientist Lisa DiPinto joined scientists from the EPA and U.S. Coast Guard to conduct experiments at the Ohmsett test tank facility in Leonardo, New Jersey to prepare for larger scale experiments being planned for later this year. Other project scientists from across the nation as well as international participated in the studies remotely via web connections.
The project “Coordinating Advances in Estimating and Measuring Oil Slick Thickness” brings together an international team of experts to advance the collective ability to determine oil slick thickness and overall oil slick characterization, which is important for oil spill response and assessments (oil clean up, fate, and oil transport). This week, the scientists were conducting smaller scale controlled experiments at the Ohmsett facility that will inform test protocols for the larger exercise. The small on-site team worked remotely with the larger interdisciplinary team of scientists to advance our understanding of surface oil fate and behavior in support of future testing. Project partners for the test planning include representatives from government, academia, and industry. The project is funded by the Canadian Multipartner Research Initiative and is supported by the Coastal Response Research Center (CRRC).