Estimation of exit times for particles released in the ocean surface

Abstract

Discusses the estimation of exit times in the ocean surface as a tool for water and coastal management, eg pollution dispersion. A simple model is proposed which uses direct observations to give quick estimates of the permanence time of a particle in a definite surface zone. The model is an elliptic boundary problem solved with an adaptive finite element method. Graphical results clearly show the relative influence of advection and diffusion on the mean exit time of the particle.