Oil Spill Environmental Risk Assessment and Mapping in Coastal China Using Automatic Identification System (AIS) Data

Mapping the shoreline risk assessment of oil spill in the eastern region of Qeshm channel

The northern shores of the Strait of Hormuz constitute one of the most diverse shorelines in the Persian Gulf, characterized by both utility and environmental richness. Situated in the Qeshm channel, which hosts the largest mangrove habitat, major industries, and commercial port, these shores are subject to the occurrence of oil spills, posing potential substantial harm. This study employs General NOAA Operational Modeling Environment (GNOME) and numerical modeling to assess the potential risks to shorelines from hypothetical oil spills, considering the distinctive features of the shores and their environmental sensitivity. The results indicate that high-risk levels are not excessively prevalent overall and are confined to approximately 24 km. The shape of the channel and hydrodynamic conditions highlight the eastern sector of the Bandar Abbas urban area as particularly susceptible to oil spill entrapment. The findings indicate that high-risk areas are predominantly located away from industrial-oil shores and primarily consist of muddy shores. Therefore, internal strategies of Oil Spill Contingency Plan (OSCP) of companies are deemed insufficient and necessitate comprehensive planning initiatives.