DSS-OSM: An Integrated Decision Support System for Offshore Oil Spill Management

• Published in: Water
• Main Authors: Pu Li, Bing Chen, Shichun Zou, Zhenhua Lu, Zekun Zhang
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021
• Subjects: offshore oil spill; oil spill management; decision support system; simulation-optimization coupling; Hydraulic engineering; TC1-978; Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes; TD201-500; Canada; Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/w14010020; https://doaj.org/article/bc8684edd1304bdb89bcbbafdc7383d3

The marine ecosystem, human health and social economy are always severely impacted once an offshore oil spill event has occurred. Thus, the management of oil spills is of importance but is difficult due to constraints from a number of dynamic and interactive processes under uncertain conditions. An integrated decision support system is significantly helpful for offshore oil spill management, but it is yet to be developed. Therefore, this study aims at developing an integrated decision support system for supporting offshore oil spill management (DSS-OSM). The DSS-OSM was developed with the integration of a Monte Carlo simulation, artificial neural network and simulation-optimization coupling approach to provide timely and effective decision support to offshore oil spill vulnerability analysis, response technology screening and response devices/equipment allocation. In addition, the uncertainties and their interactions were also analyzed throughout the modeling of the DSS-OSM. Finally, an offshore oil spill management case study was conducted on the south coast of Newfoundland, Canada, demonstrating the feasibility of the developed DSS-OSM.