U.Bethers & J.Sennikovs
Laboratory for Mathematical Modelling of Environmental and Technical Processes,
University of Latvia, Latvia
 

The operation of oil transport can cause several environmental problems. Direct impact of it is spilling of oil to the water environment. The cost for operating seaports usually is the bathymetry and coastline changes as well as impact of sand disposal areas to marine environment. Investigations of ecological impact of such actions are necessary.
One  needs to account for whole complex of physical/biological processes in the sea for adequate description of the ecosystem. This includes hydrodynamics driven by meteorological forcing as well as biochemical cycles. Recent developments in numerical methods and computer technologies allow effective application of mathematical modelling to those investigations. Results of such simulation have high spatial and temporal resolution. This allows real-time analysis of situation development at the arbitrary points under consideration.
A model of coastal hydrodynamics with account for wave action is developed. It serves as a core for sediment transport and tracer spreading models. Such a group of tools allows prediction of pollutant spreading from point and diffuse source. It can be used for modelling the bathymetry and coastline changes. Those models in combination with meteorological parameter study could be used as a tool for prognosis of  the typical and critical development scenarios.