Development of the STFM (Spill, Transport and Fate Model) - Part 2: Update of transport algorithms and expansion of the physicochemical mechanism to include the formation of pellets and microplastics

• Grant number: 24/06927-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Support Program for Fixating Young Doctors
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2024
• Effective date (End): May 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Meteorology
• Acordo de Cooperação: CNPq
• Principal Investigator: Adalgiza Fornaro
• Grantee: Iwldson Guilherme da Silva Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas (IAG). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/01542-3 - Development of the STFM (Spill, Transport and Fate Model), part 2: upgrades of the transport algorithms and the physical-chemical mechanism to include the pellets and microplastics formations, AP.R

Abstract

The STFM (Spill, Transport, and Fate Model) is a model for studying oil spills and waste releases in Brazilian coastal waters. Initially developed at Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas (IAG/USP), and later continued in partnership with the company Lentz Consultores em Meio Ambiente, the STFM was designed from the outset to meet scientific, governmental, and corporate needs. The model's current version was published in 2021 and is registered with the Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial (INPI - Brazil) under the number BR512021002447-8. The STFM was successfully used to study the oil spill that occurred in 2019, being the first model to estimate methodologically and numerically the oil volume released into the ocean and from that, indicate a possible oil dumping (intentional disposal). The current project sets scientific, technical, and strategic goals for the development and availability of the STFM to the public; among them: develop a transport and weathering model for macro, meso, and micro plastics; oil fractions in solid or near-solid state (e.g. tarballs); implement a new turbulent diffusion scheme for sub-grid processes, include a Stokes transport term, replace the hydrodynamic model with a higher resolution input over coastal areas, include a wave model, develop a user-friendly graphical user interface platform based on GIS; increase computational performance; decrease trajectory uncertainty/error; publicize model applications and provide a business plan that enables the continuous development of the model and the retention of the fellow researcher in the company after the project's conclusion.