2 Chemical Spill Characteristics

45 Dispersion of ocean pollutants in estuarine environments and bays (such as San 46 Diego Bay) depends on the location of the source of the pollutants relative to the 47 mouth and the tidal excursion, which is the net horizontal distance over which a 48 pollutant particle moves during one tidal cycle of flood and ebb. Pollutant dispersion 49 was investigated using a coupled hydrodynamic and chemical discharge model in 50 this study. The results show the existence of two distinct (northern and southern) 51 spill patterns of pollutant dispersion. The northern spill pattern is characterized by 52 fast reduction of the pollutant concentration in the water column, rapid dispersion of 53 pollutants to the San Diego port and to outside of the San Diego Bay, and slow dis-54 persion of pollutants to the southern bay. The southern spill pattern is characterized 55 by slow reduction of the pollutant concentration in the water column, slow disper-56 sion, and confinement of pollutants in the southern San Diego Bay. The results may 57 be useful for ocean pollution control and management. 58 KeywordsQ1: Two chemical spill patterns, San Diego Bay, ocean pollution, water 59 quality management, chemical dispersion 1