Formulae are recommended for calculating the extent of the spread of oil slicks on water as a function of time. They are based on empirical measurements of spreading rates and analytical and theoretical studies of the physical processes which accelerate or retard the spread of a film. Both one-dimensional and two-dimensional (axisymmetric) slicks are treated. Comparisons of the recommended formulae are made with the limited number of field observations, both for the rate of spread and the maximum slick size.
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