Oil Spill Science and Technology, 2nd Edition

5.8. Slick Thickness Determination

There is a need to measure oil slick thickness; this need has been expressed both within the oil spill response community and among academics in the field. There are presently no reliable methods, either in the laboratory or the field, for accurately measuring oil-on-water slick thickness. The ability to do so would significantly increase understanding of the dynamics of oil spreading and behavior. Knowledge of slick thickness would make it possible to determine the effectiveness of certain oil spill countermeasures including dispersant application and in situ burning. Indeed, the effectiveness of individual dispersants could be determined quantitatively if the oil remaining on the water surface following dispersant ...