Laboratory Observations of Artificial Sand and Oil Agglomerates Video and Velocity Data: Sea Floor Interaction Experiment Interpretive Video

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).